Lula Says Bets Will Not Return if Re-elected and Criticizes Sector

“We have to put an end to this plague because, if we don’t put an end to bets, they will destroy the Brazilian people. And I am very happy to make this decision, very happy. They will not return. Anyone who wants to make money will have to work,” Lula declared.

Lula Criticizes Bets and Vows to Maintain the Ban if Re-elected

During the livestream, the president once again questioned the economic effects of online betting on the Brazilian population, particularly among lower-income consumers. Lula said he would not accept resources from poorer people being used to finance football clubs and reiterated his opposition to the continuation of bets in the country.

“Betting on the impoverishment of people who are already poor and trying to squeeze the poor to help football teams will no longer happen in this country. It will not,” he said.

The statement links the debate over the betting market to household financial protection and the role of the activity in Brazil’s economy. By saying that bets will not return if he is re-elected, Lula signaled his intention to maintain an opposing stance toward the operation of this segment during a possible second term.

However, the president did not provide details on how the ban would be maintained, which regulatory mechanisms would be used, or how the government would address the different segments of the gambling industry.

Professional Training as an Alternative to Betting

As an alternative to improving the population’s economic conditions, Lula advocated investment in professional training and the creation of better-paying jobs. According to the president, expanding employment opportunities should be a priority to increase Brazilians’ incomes.

“What we need is to invest in professional training for our people so that everyone can have quality jobs and earn good wages,” he said.

The proposal was presented as part of his approach to addressing the population’s financial difficulties. In the context of the debate over bets, the president argued that income generation should be linked to employment and professional training rather than relying on betting activities.

If re-elected, Lula’s stated position indicates that policy toward the sector will remain a relevant issue for operators, technology providers, sports organizations, and other stakeholders in Brazil’s gambling market.

Lula Proposes a Financial Guidance Secretariat

During the same livestream, the president raised the possibility of creating a government secretariat dedicated to financial guidance for the public. He suggested influencer Nath Finanças for the role. She is known for producing content about financial education.

The initiative was mentioned amid Lula’s concerns about the economic situation of Brazilian households. The proposal aims to expand public access to financial guidance, although no details were provided regarding the structure, responsibilities, or implementation timeline of a potential secretariat.

The discussion is also connected to the president’s position on online betting and his stated need to prevent financially vulnerable people from committing their resources to this activity.

Bets Ban and Payment Restrictions

The original report states that the ban on bets was decreed on September 25 and refers to measures by the Central Bank that restricted the use of Pix and bank payment slips for betting-related transactions.

During the livestream, Lula did not explain how these measures would be maintained or implemented if he is re-elected. He also did not clarify which instruments would be adopted to ensure the continuation of the ban or how the policy would apply to the different stakeholders operating in the market.

The lack of further details leaves several questions open regarding implementation and the sector’s regulatory future. For industry stakeholders, the statements underscore the importance of monitoring the government’s next moves and political and regulatory developments that could affect betting operations in Brazil.

By stating that bets will not return if he is re-elected, Lula has once again placed the future of online betting at the center of Brazil’s political debate, with implications for market regulation, consumer protection, and the relationship between the sector, football clubs, and the national economy.