Lula: Congress won’t have the “courage” to block Brazil betting ban

Brazilian President Lula da Silva has issued a ‘challenge’ for Congress to overturn the provisional measure banning online betting. 

Lula says he doubts lawmakers will have the "courage" to do so. The proposal banning fixed-odds betting has already begun its passage through Congress, where lawmakers have proposed changes to the government's new restrictions. 

Lula said the Government's fight against betting operators was not over and described the dispute as "a war," further stating: "This is a good fight." 

He said his decision to ban betting came after meeting at the Planalto Palace with relatives of people who had become indebted and addicted to gambling. 

"I decided to end it because it is impoverishing and indebting Brazilian people," he said. The President has previously opposed to betting due to its social cost and, before the ban, has sanctioned legislation that introduced a progressive increase in taxation on operators. 

Lula also addressed opposition from the betting industry and people connected to it, including influencers and football clubs. He said some on his own team had warned the ban could cost him votes ahead of the election, particularly because clubs and lawmakers could oppose it. 

He nevertheless decided to proceed, arguing that his priority was preventing people from losing money needed for basic household expenses through betting. 

The MP is currently being considered by Congress and has already received proposals for amendments. It remains in force while lawmakers consider its future. 

Lula also criticized betting-related lobbying and questioned the influence of companies and influencers promoting gambling, saying he intended to "end bets, regardless of who is hurt"