Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva used his International Women's Day address on March 8 to call for a ban on online casino games in Brazil, arguing that digital gambling is draining household budgets and pushing families into debt.
The remarks signal a sharp shift from the regulatory framework approved by his own administration just over two years ago.
Lula da Silva, President of Brazil, said: "Another tragedy affecting Brazilian homes is gambling addiction. Although most addicts are men, the burden falls disproportionately on women. It's money meant for food, rent and children's school that disappears on the cell phone screen.
“Casinos are prohibited in Brazil. It makes no sense to allow gambling games like 'Jogos do Tigrinho' to enter homes, indebting families through their cell phones. We will work together, uniting the Government, Congress and the Judiciary, to ensure that these digital casinos do not continue to indebt families and destroy homes."
The statement places the Lula administration in tension with its own legislative record. In December 2023, Lula signed Law No. 14,790/2023, establishing the country's first comprehensive regulatory framework for online betting.
The market launched under that structure in January 2025, with the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA) acting as the primary regulator.
Concerns about the social impact of the betting boom have been growing. Brazil's Central Bank previously warned that a share of Bolsa Família social assistance payments had been redirected to betting platforms. At the same time, the National Consumer Secretariat reported that billions of reais had flowed from low-income households to gambling operators.
Political analysts in Brazil have suggested the timing of Lula's remarks may also be linked to the approaching 2026 presidential race, with the administration seeking to appeal to female voters increasingly concerned about gambling-related harm.
Whether the rhetoric translates into legislation remains uncertain. Any prohibition would require congressional approval in a legislature where the betting sector has developed significant lobbying power.
Industry observers also warn that a ban could drive activity to unlicensed offshore operators, undermining ongoing enforcement efforts. Since the regulated market launched, authorities say more than 2,000 unauthorized betting sites have been blocked.
For B2B operators and suppliers with exposure to Brazil, the message is clear: political risk in the world's most closely watched emerging gambling market is rising.
Brazil currently has more than 76 licensed operators operating 138 betting brands
