TLDR
- Former Brazilian President Michel Temer says he no longer approves of the 2018 law he signed that allowed fixed-odds betting.
- Temer made the comments on the TV show Frente a Frente.
- He said the law was meant to be followed by regulation, which came later under President Lula.
- Temer called the betting law a “lesser evil” compared to pressure at the time to legalize casinos.
- He is calling for stricter supervision of betting operators and limits for welfare recipients like those on Bolsa Família.
Michel Temer, the former President of Brazil, has spoken out against a law he signed during his own presidency. The law created the framework for legalizing fixed-odds betting in the country.
He made his comments on the Brazilian TV show Frente a Frente. Temer said the law was meant to be followed by future regulation.
That regulation did not come right away. It was written later, during the presidency of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Temer Doesn’t Approve of the Law
When asked if he regrets signing the bill, Temer did not call it a mistake. But he also would not say he approves of it now.
“I would not say that I regret it, because I knew regulation would come later, but I cannot approve that measure,” Temer said.
He explained that he expected rules to follow soon after. Instead, the industry grew fast before those rules were in place.
Temer said that fast growth created problems. He said those problems need to be dealt with now.
His comments come as online betting faces heavy scrutiny in Brazil. Lawmakers and the public are looking at household debt levels linked to gambling.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is also approaching. It will take place after betting rules were already put in place in Brazil.
Betting advertisements have also grown across the country. This has added to public debate about the industry.
Casino Pressure And Calls For Supervision
Temer said the political climate at the end of his term played a role in his decision. There was heavy pressure at the time to legalize casinos in Brazil.
He said allowing fixed-odds betting was a way to avoid that outcome. “It was the lesser evil. That is what made me sign it at the time,” he said.
Temer pointed out that gambling already existed in Brazil before the law. This included unregulated bingo halls and roulette games.
But he said digital betting platforms expanded access to gambling in a much bigger way. “It is not good for the country,” he said.
Looking ahead, Temer said the current system should not be canceled. Instead, he wants stricter rules and closer supervision of licensed operators.
He also said certain groups should face limits on using betting platforms. This includes recipients of the Bolsa Família welfare program.
Temer argued that the government has a right to control how public assistance funds are spent. He said the goal is to make sure that money goes toward necessary expenses, not gambling.
His comments add to the ongoing discussion in Brazil about the future of the regulated betting market.
