TLDR
- Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro did not discuss Brazil’s online betting ban during their televised debate on October 18.
- Lula signed a measure on September 25 banning fixed-odds betting and online casinos, citing household debt.
- Flávio led the first round with 47% of the vote to Lula’s 45%.
- Hours before the debate, police sent a money laundering case involving Flávio and lawyer Willer Tomaz to the Supreme Federal Court.
- The runoff vote takes place on October 25.
Brazil’s two presidential candidates did not discuss the country’s online betting ban during their televised debate on Sunday, October 18. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of the Workers’ Party and Flávio Bolsonaro of the Liberal Party met on the Band network.
It was their first face-to-face debate of the second round. The runoff vote is set for October 25.
The candidates focused on public security, the economy, the INSS fraud scandal and the Banco Master case. Household debt came up during the economic portion of the debate.
Neither candidate mentioned betting while discussing debt. The government had used household debt as its main reason for banning gambling.
How the Betting Ban Became a Campaign Issue
On September 25, Lula signed Provisional Measure No. 1,394/2026. The measure bans fixed-odds betting and online casinos in Brazil.
Lula said the ban was a response to household debt. Finance Minister Dario Durigan called the election a “plebiscite on betting.”
The first round did not go as the government expected. Flávio received 47% of the vote, while Lula received 45%.
According to O Globo, Lula’s campaign estimated that the betting ban hurt its results. In a TV Globo interview on October 15, Lula spoke about debt without mentioning betting.
On October 16, Lula raised the subject again in Ipatinga, in the state of Minas Gerais. He said the Globo network was “angry” because he “put an end to betting.” The comment came after Flávio had lunch with Globo’s leadership.
Police Investigation Involves Flávio Bolsonaro
Hours before the debate, the Federal Police sent an alleged money laundering case to the Supreme Federal Court. The case involves Flávio and lawyer Willer Tomaz.
Investigators say Tomaz effectively controls Rede Loto. The Rio de Janeiro State Lottery gave Rede Loto permission to run sports betting in May 2023.
Tomaz’s defense denied the claim, saying Rede Loto “never operated as a betting platform.” The defense also criticized the leak for coming only hours before the debate.
During the debate, Lula questioned Flávio about Tomaz in connection with the INSS fraud case. He did not mention betting when doing so.
Flávio has supported sports betting in the past, but not online casinos. He did not bring up the topic during the debate.
Several issues tied to the ban were not addressed. These include about 30,000 websites flagged as suspicious after operators lost their licenses, and the loss of major sponsorships for some football clubs.
The future of the provisional measure in Congress and at the Supreme Federal Court also remains open. The next government takes office on January 1.
Brazilian voters will choose between Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro in the runoff on October 25.
