Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said he doubts Congress will overturn his government's ban on fixed-odds betting. Provisional Measure 1,394/2026, which prohibits bookmaker operations, formally entered the legislative process.
Speaking on the Flow Podcast on 1 October, Lula responded to host Igor Coelho's suggestion that Congress might reject the measure: "I doubt Congress will have the courage to end it. I doubt it." The president also explained the timing — the ban was announced on 25 September, nine days before the first round of presidential elections. He said he had not previously grasped the scale of the problem: "I suspected, but didn't imagine the extent." Lula added that the election influenced his decision: if he had not banned betting and lost, he "would never have banned it."
Provisional Measure 1,394 prohibits the operation, offer, intermediation and advertising of fixed-odds betting on both real sports events and virtual online games. The ban extends to foreign operators accepting wagers from Brazilian residents. Existing licences expire 30 days after publication of the measure. Operators must return client balances and winnings. Sites and apps must become unavailable from 6 October.
A joint committee of deputies and senators is reviewing the measure before votes in both chambers. The initial discussion period ends 23 November, with amendments accepted until 13 October. Urgency procedure begins 9 November and the term may be extended another 60 days. The ban remains in force during deliberation. First amendments arrived 29 September.
Lula acknowledged the ban will not eliminate illegal platforms — new ones may appear. The government has launched parallel action to block unlicensed operators and their advertising.
