Lula & Bolsonaro both back online gambling clampdown before vote
Brazil’s finance ministry is reluctant to back the curbs, citing a hit to tax revenue from 25m bettors.
The hit
Brazil’s rival presidential frontrunners have landed on gambling as a campaign issue ahead of the October 4 vote. President Lula called for an end to bookmakers’ operations in the country, while opponent Flávio Bolsonaro called for online casinos to be shut down, according to GamblingNews. Lula’s administration is reportedly preparing a provisional measure against operators.
Why it matters
A ban on online casinos would hit operators where it hurts most: that segment reportedly makes up 70-80% of licensed revenue in Brazil. Public mood has turned too, with most voters backing a ban. Some parts of the government oppose the idea, & Brazil’s finance ministry has been reluctant to support changes, citing concerns over tax revenue.
The record
| Election date | October 4 presidential vote (GamblingNews) |
|---|---|
| Online casino share of operator revenue | 70-80% (Bloomberg/AtlasIntel survey) |
| Voters backing an online betting ban | 75% in favour, 17% opposed (Atlas poll) |
| Bettors in Brazil in 2025 | 25 million (Brazil’s Ministry of Finance) |
| Brazilians with a gambling addiction | over 2 million, plus 7.5 million problem gamblers (reports cited by GamblingNews) |
What happens next
Watch Brazil’s October 4 presidential vote & whether Lula’s administration formally files its provisional measure against gambling operators.
Sources: Brazil’s Top Two Presidential Opponents Agree On Online Gambling Restrictions
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