Lula’s gambling ban talk puts R$120bn in claims on the table

ANJL warns a ban could trigger R$120bn ($23.3bn) in compensation claims from operators.

The hit

Brazil’s President Lula said he has a personal wish to scrap gambling, comparing betting addiction to crack cocaine, according to Folha de S.Paulo. Lula made the remarks on the Desce a Letra Show podcast on 16 September, as his government weighs a ban on online casino games & betting adverts. No firm measures or deadline have been set.

Why it matters

A ban could hit fast if pushed through decree rather than Congress, letting the Executive bypass lawmakers entirely. Online casinos make up roughly 70% of betting revenue, industry reps say, so a crackdown would gut major platforms overnight. Operators warn tighter ad rules could push players toward unlicensed sites with no tax take or player protections.

The record

Podcast remarks	16 September 2026, Desce a Letra Show podcast
Civil society meeting	1 September 2026 – Lula met “Brazil Against Betting” campaigners
Online casino share	≈70% of betting revenue (industry representatives)
Potential compensation	R$120bn / $23.3bn (ANJL legal consultant Bernardo Cavalcanti Freire)
2027 budget projection	R$6.69bn / $1.30bn from betting fees (2027 federal budget)

What happens next

Watch for a possible presidential decree or provisional measure, plus progress of the House bill banning betting ads & high-risk games, as government sources signal a “high-impact” decision is coming.

Sources: Brazil: President Lula signals possible ban on online casinos and betting ads

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