Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said the government will soon announce a decision on the operation of betting platforms in the country. Speaking on September 14 in Brasília at the signing of the Move Brasil law, the head of state sharply criticized online betting, calling it an illness rather than a game.
'Yesterday I had a very painful meeting with people who became victims of gambling on betting sites. Perhaps almost no Brazilian official knows first-hand what is happening in our country. A lot of suffering and a lot of addiction,' Lula said. The president accused platforms of manipulating people and pulling them into addiction.
Online betting was legalized in Brazil under Lula's own administration, but since then the president has hardened his position toward the industry. The Finance Ministry plans to expand oversight of betting sites, while Lula has publicly called for their closure. The issue has become a political topic: among presidential candidates, Lula is one of the harshest critics of the gambling sector.
The government has not yet disclosed specific measures. The head of state's remarks are increasing uncertainty for operators working in the Brazilian market, which is considered one of the largest in the region by betting volume.
