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6mo ago

Lula Blames Bolsonaro for Brazil’s Betting Boom, Presses for Tougher Regulation

The remarks highlight a government push for tighter oversight with higher taxes to fund measures against gambling addiction.

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Lula reforça tom eleitoral e acusa Bolsonaro de levar o “cassino para dentro das casas” dos brasileiros.

Overview

  • Speaking in Rio Grande on Jan. 20, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said the previous government “brought the casino into our home,” warning that online betting is reaching children.
  • Lula said online betting is taking over football and advertising and fostering corruption, urging stronger controls on the sector.
  • Brazil’s betting market began operating under new federal rules this month after a 2023 regulatory approval and detailed standards set by the SPA in 2024, yet illegal platforms still account for at least 40% of activity, according to reporting.
  • Finance Minister Fernando Haddad previously said the Bolsonaro administration failed to collect taxes due from betting companies, reinforcing the government’s case for stricter enforcement.
  • Authorities have stepped up actions that include Anatel blocking more than 2,000 irregular sites in 2024, though in 2025 the Finance Ministry issued only two fines totaling R$729,000 as the regulated market was estimated to take in about R$40 billion.