TLDR President Lula says he will decide on Brazil’s sports betting future only after reviewing consultations with civil society He spoke to around 10 to 11 people, including families affected by gambling debt and people linked to gambling related suicides On September 1, Lula said he personally leans toward a ban and called for a “drastic decision” Lula said taxes only discourage betting companies when the taxes cut deeply into profits The betting debate has become part of Lula’s re-election campaign ahead of Brazil’s October 4 vote
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has not said what he will do about sports betting in the country. He said his decision will be based on talks with civil society groups.
Lula made the comments during an interview with SBT Brasil on September 10. He said his team already collected and organized the public input.
“I listened to society, we recorded everything they said, we have already mapped and systematized everything,” Lula said. “Now, I will make a decision based on what I saw.”
He did not say whether he supports banning betting platforms or keeping the current regulated system in place.
Lula Consults Stakeholders Before Deciding
Lula said opinions on betting are split across the country. Some people want platforms shut down, some want them to stay open, and others want penalties for those responsible.
He said he did not want to state a position before hearing from different groups first.
The people he spoke with included opponents of betting platforms, families dealing with gambling debt, and people connected to suicides linked to betting debt. Lula said he spoke with about 10 or 11 people total.
“I am not going to make a decision on my own,” he said. “I am not president of myself, I am