Flávio Bolsonaro, Brazil's presidential opposition candidate, recently informed the leadership of Grupo Globo that Congress has reached an agreement to reinstate online betting. This announcement came during a luncheon held with João Roberto Marinho, the chairman of Globo, and Paulo Tonet, the vice president of institutional relations, shortly before Bolsonaro's highly publicized interview on TV Globo, where the topic of betting was expected to take center stage.
The meeting took place at Globo's headquarters in Rio de Janeiro and was first reported by Metrópoles. Attending the lunch alongside Bolsonaro was Sen. Rogério Marinho (PL-RN), who is overseeing his campaign. In a subsequent statement, Globo confirmed the lunch but emphasized that no journalism executives were present, stating that such visit requests from candidates are standard practice. They also mentioned that this was the second occasion Flávio Bolsonaro visited, the first being prior to the official campaigning period. Globo noted that if Lula had requested a meeting, he would have also been accommodated.
Globo is a co-owner of Boa Lion, which operates BetMGM in Brazil, alongside MGM Resorts International. This venture secured its federal license in December 2024 and commenced operations in February 2025. The network has faced significant financial setbacks since the ban on betting advertising and sponsorship on its channels, unable to find enough replacement income from other advertisers.
Lula’s team expressed discomfort over the timing of the luncheon, which coincided with Flávio Bolsonaro's interview. During a rally in Ipatinga, Minas Gerais, where his party was campaigning, Lula criticized Globo and referred to the ban on betting as a point of contention, asserting, "I was the one to end the gambling and to have a bet."
Flávio Bolsonaro clarified that while he plans to reinstate online gambling, he does not intend to shut down physical betting shops, which he believes can be regulated. The issue of betting was notably absent from discussions during their first debate on Band channel.
Recent Datafolha polling, published on October 15, indicates that Flávio Bolsonaro has gained the support of 51% of voters, while Lula follows closely with 49%.
Regarding legislative matters, by October 13, lawmakers had submitted 99 amendments to Provisional Measure 1,394. As of October 14, the joint committee responsible for reviewing this measure lacked both a chair and a rapporteur. This measure is poised to disrupt the remainder of Congress's agenda starting November 9, with its initial 60-day term concluding on November 23, although it can be extended by an additional 60 days. Notably, federal betting licenses are set to expire on October 25, coinciding with the runoff election date.
