Lula's ultimatum on betting regulations: "If it doesn't work, we'll end it"

According to President Lula Inácio da Silva if the new rules don't bring beneficial results in terms of preventing gambling addiction and the loss of money for families, the government will put an end to so-called betting. Lula did not, however, detail what this means.

‘Next week the regulations should be completely ready. Let's see the result. If it doesn't work, we'll put an end to it,’ he said. ‘I'll have no doubt about putting an end to it once and for all,’ he said at another point.

Lula indicated, however, that he favours a way out via new rules, because, as is the case all over the world, people should have the freedom to gamble. He also said that it would be difficult to ban gambling, since even games that are now banned by law continue to exist, such as betting on cockfights.

‘Gambling is forbidden in this country and everyone knows that in the morning they go to buy bread and make a bet even on the bread paper,’ he said.

‘I don't want to stop people from betting, because people like to bet. But what I can't do is allow gambling to become a disease,’ he added.

The president cited cases he knows of people who have lost their homes, cars and used their entire salaries to gamble.

Regarding the use of the Bolsa Família in bets, Lula said that he doesn't accept this idea. However, he pointed out that these cases are occasional.

The president recalled that it is often women who receive the social benefit, and that they are unlikely to spend their children's money on gambling.

Lula also said that the government hopes to take down around 2,000 gambling sites in the country this month.