Brazilian soccer teams cry foul at Lula's online betting ban
3 hours ago
FILE PHOTO: Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, a candidate for reelection for the Workers' Party (PT), sits on the day he announces a national ban on the operation of online betting companies, known locally as "bets" and other economic measures aimed at protecting families and working-class households, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, September 25, 2026. REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli/File Photo
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BRASILIA, Sept 30 : Brazilian soccer teams are siding with sports betting companies to lobby against a government ban on gambling websites, a move industry officials say will strip clubs of access to multimillion-dollar sponsorship deals.
The provisional measure, approved by Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva last Friday, includes an immediate ban on gamblers making new deposits and requires all sports betting websites and apps to be shut down in the country from October 6.
The clampdown — which prompted online betting companies in Europe to revise earnings guidance — comes amid an extremely tight presidential election campaign in Brazil, where Lula is seeking a fourth non-consecutive term in power. A Quaest poll released this week showed that 62 per cent of Brazilians support restricting online betting in the country.
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