President Lula has intensified his criticism of online betting companies in Brazil in recent months. In various speeches and interviews, he has echoed concerns raised by conservative groups, labeling gambling as a growing social issue. He has cited unverified claims linking gambling to increased debt and deteriorating labor conditions. Lula has denounced these companies, calling them a “scourge of lies” and highlighting their negative effects on youth and low-income workers. He expressed a firm stance by stating that if it were his decision, he would abolish such platforms. During a speech at the Ministry of Labour, he referred to sports betting as a financial trap targeting workers.
In recent interviews across two podcasts, Lula reiterated his position against the gambling industry, asserting, “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 the influence of a “betting lobby” in Congress, suggesting that the industry wields significant political power to safeguard its interests. He remarked that the efforts to eliminate such betting operations would face challenges due to this lobbying. “I know there’s a gambling lobby in Congress,” he stated. “But it is a fight we will have to take on, because society cannot be destabilised by something we can control.”
Despite his strong rhetoric, Lula has an underlying concern regarding the economic implications of banning gambling. In the first half of 2026, the government generated nearly BRL7.3 billion in revenue from gambling. In 2025, Brazil's earnings from this sector reached almost BRL10 billion, not including concession and regulatory fees. The potential cessation of gambling operations could jeopardize this significant revenue stream, adding strain to the country’s budget.
Moreover, data from the Ministry of Finance indicates that over five million Brazilians are currently restricted from participating in betting activities.
Lula’s approach also carries a political dimension. He has framed the discourse around online betting as part of a broader push for formal employment and has critiqued economic models that, in his view, take advantage of the populace's financial instability.
The fight against gambling has become an integral element of his campaign, connecting it to a commitment to social protection and addressing debt.
Additionally, Lula has initiated discussions with the ministries of finance, planning, and justice to assess strategies that could mitigate the societal impacts of gambling. "We are working with the ministries so that we can take action,” he confirmed.
However, Lula’s opposition to sports betting confronts a complex issue. A complete ban would likely not eliminate the betting activity; it would merely push it into illegal channels, which account for an estimated 38% to 44% of the total gambling market, according to research from LCA and Instituto Locomotiva.
Bernardo Freire, legal counsel for the National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL), warned that prohibiting licensed betting sites would simply redirect bettors to illegal platforms. He described any ban on licensed operators as “complicity with crime.” During an ANJL event hosted by Grupo Globo, he emphasized that closing down licensed websites would bolster the illegal gambling market. “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,” he stated.
