In recent months, Brazilian President Lula has intensified his criticism of online betting companies operating in the country. Through various speeches and interviews, he has echoed concerns from more conservative segments of society, labeling gambling a social issue. Lula has, without providing verification, associated gambling with increased debt and deteriorating labor conditions.
He has described these betting companies as a "scourge of lies," emphasizing their adverse effects on younger populations and low-income workers. He expressed a firm stance, stating that if it were up to him, he would shut down these platforms entirely. In a speech at the Ministry of Labour, Lula denounced sports betting as a financial trap for workers.
In two podcast interviews, he reiterated his opposition to the gambling industry, declaring, "If no one can show me a social justification for these betting platforms to continue, we have to put an end to them."
Lula acknowledged a significant challenge, highlighting the influence of the “betting lobby” within Congress. This lobby, he noted, actively works to protect the industry's interests. He emphasized that pushing to abolish the industry may prove difficult, stating, "I know there’s a gambling lobby in Congress. But it is a fight we will have to take on, because society cannot be destabilized by something we can control."
Despite his resistance to the industry, Lula faces a complex financial reality. The Brazilian government received approximately BRL7.3 billion in revenue from gambling in the first half of 2026. In 2025, the total amount collected from gambling reached nearly BRL10 billion, excluding regulatory and concession fees. Terminating this activity would result in a significant loss of funds, further complicating budgetary pressures.
This concern is underscored by recent statistics from the Ministry of Finance, revealing that over five million Brazilians have already been barred from participating in betting activities.
In addition to the regulatory and legal aspects, Lula’s discourse on online betting carries a political dimension. He aims to position his stance as part of a broader narrative promoting formal employment, criticizing economic models that, in his view, exploit the financial vulnerabilities of the population.
The prevailing rhetoric against betting has become a pivotal element of his campaign strategy, with a focus on social protection and financial stability.
The president mentioned that his government is working collaboratively with the ministries of finance, planning, and justice to assess potential measures to mitigate the societal impacts of betting. "We are working with the ministries so that we can take action," he remarked.
However, a ban on sports betting raises concerns about a shift to illegal markets. Research by LCA and Instituto Locomotiva indicates that the illegal gambling market currently comprises between 38% to 44% of total activity.
Bernardo Freire, legal counsel for the National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL), warned that prohibiting licensed betting platforms would merely redirect bettors to unregulated options. He argued that banning legal companies would equate to complicity with criminal activity. Speaking at an ANJL event in collaboration with Grupo Globo, he noted, "If 40% of the population is already in this market today, the ban will drive the 60% who bet on licensed platforms to the illegal ones."
