Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has declined to reveal whether he will support a ban on sports betting, saying he will make a decision after reviewing feedback from civil society and groups affected by gambling.
Speaking to SBT Brasil on September 10, Lula said the government had collected and organised views from different stakeholders but would not indicate his preferred outcome.
“I listened to society, we recorded everything they said, we have already mapped and systematized everything. Now, I will make a decision based on what I saw.”
Lula Consults Gambling Stakeholders
Lula said public opinion on betting remains divided between those who want betting platforms closed, those who support keeping the regulated market and those who favour stronger penalties.
The president said he had consulted around 10 or 11 people and groups, including individuals opposed to betting and families affected by gambling-related debt.
He stressed that the final decision would consider these views rather than being based solely on his personal position.
When directly asked about the outcome, Lula declined to provide an indication, saying he would not disclose the decision in advance.
Lula Previously Backed Tougher Measures
The latest comments contrast with Lula’s position expressed at a September 1 meeting with civil society representatives at the Planalto Palace.
At the meeting, the president said he personally favoured a more drastic approach and suggested that Brazil may need to prohibit gambling platforms.
Lula also questioned whether taxation is an effective deterrent, arguing that companies may continue operating when gambling remains sufficiently profitable despite higher taxes.
He further criticised the difficulty of identifying where some betting companies are headquartered and where they pay taxes, raising questions about the effectiveness of taxation as a regulatory tool.
Betting Debate Gains Political Importance
The uncertainty comes as Brazil approaches its October 4 first-round election, with Lula seeking re-election for the Workers’ Party (PT).
The future of sports betting has therefore become both a regulatory and political issue.
For Brazil’s licensed operators, the outcome could determine whether the country continues developing its recently established regulated betting framework or moves toward significantly tighter restrictions on online gambling.
