After stating that he wants to “put an end to betting sites,” Lula is expected to announce a provisional measure this Friday

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is expected to release the provisional measure (MP) regarding sports betting this Friday (25). According to Lauro Jardim of O Globo, the provisional measure is considered the most significant intervention the Workers’ Party candidate intends to announce in an effort to boost his popularity and win over some of Flávio Bolsonaro’s (PL) votes in the final days before the first round of the election, scheduled for October 4. On Wednesday (23), during a meeting with artists in Rio de Janeiro, Lula stated that he intends to “put an end to betting sites”: “This isn’t a war; it’s a decision. My concern is that, today, a portion of the youth is tethered to algorithms.” “And if we don’t fight this battle, the algorithms will win. I have no problem saying: I would take great pleasure in putting an end to the betting sites,” he declared. What are the versions being considered for the Provisional Measure on sports betting? As of Wednesday (23), there was still no decision regarding which version would be adopted in the final text: a more restrictive one, banning both online casino games and sports betting, or a milder alternative that would prohibit only online casino games. Also according to O Globo, the first version is championed by the head of the Communications Secretariat, Sidônio Palmeira, while the second is supported by Dario Durigan, the current Minister of Finance. It is worth noting that the Ministry of Finance, then led by Fernando Haddad, spearheaded the sector’s regulatory process. The rules came into full effect on January 1, 2025, following a transition period. Currently, the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting, a body within the Ministry of Finance, is responsible for monitoring and authorizing companies in the sector in Brazil. Ban could allow the illegal gambling market to grow. Recent simulations by the National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL) indicate that a restrictive measure would cause underground operations to surge from the current level of 41% to as much as 82% of the total volume of betting in the country. This move would transfer between R$8.2 billion and R$19.1 billion annually to unregulated operators. In addition to the significant impact on tax revenue—with estimated annual losses of up to R$ 7.4 billion to public coffers—the migration of users would directly affect the current support network for the most vulnerable. For ANJL president Plínio Lemos Jorge, the government’s actions could have the opposite effect. Warnings have already been issued by accredited entities, economists, authorities, and even a Supreme Court justice. We hope the decisions take technical assessments into account, because the illegal site will not disappear with a provisional measure. “On the contrary, it will be the best environment for these companies to operate,” he stated. O post After stating that he wants to “put an end to betting sites,” Lula is expected to announce a provisional measure this Friday apareceu primeiro em iGaming Brazil.