Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has delivered one of his strongest public critiques yet of the online betting sector, warning that bets and digital casinos are becoming overly dominant in football, advertising and public life.
Speaking at a public event attended by Central Bank President Gabriel Galípolo, Lula said the Federal Government and monetary authorities are working to ensure operators meet their tax obligations under Brazil’s regulatory framework.
“The casino entered our homes and bets are everywhere,” said the President.
“A 10-year-old child can take their father’s phone and gamble due to this quantity of betting platforms that are out there, which is taking over football and advertising.”
Lula added that betting companies are actively pushing back against tax hikes, framing the sector’s resistance as part of a wider corruption problem.
The President’s remarks come amid a sharp increase in betting-related sponsorships in Brazilian football, where operators have become some of the most visible commercial partners, with a 125% surge on club shirts.
Lula also referenced Brazil’s historical resistance to gambling, recalling that he had grown up hearing that casinos should not be allowed in the country.
Land-based casinos were banned in Brazil in 1946 by decree under President Eurico Gaspar Dutra, a prohibition that remains in place today despite ongoing political debate.
While Lula’s comments focused on social and ethical concerns, they also reflect the scale of the market now under federal oversight.
Brazil’s regulated sector has expanded fast since the introduction of a formal licensing regime, with dozens of operators currently authorized and a queue of at least 25 new applicants seeking approval from Brazil's regulator, the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting.
Brazil’s Ministry of Health has recently launched a national guide focused on preventing and addressing problem gambling
