Lula signs provisional measure banning online betting nationwide
Published · Updated
What happened
The presidency signed a provisional measure banning online betting nationwide on September 25. The act reverses a federal regulatory regime that had allowed and supervised the sector since 2024.
Why it matters
A provisional measure takes effect immediately, so the federal government now has to coordinate enforcement, payment blocking, telecommunications restrictions, and public messaging across multiple agencies. The policy reversal also changes the government's electoral and coalition posture on a visible household-consumption issue within days.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed a provisional measure on September 25 that makes online betting illegal across Brazil, reversing the regulatory framework his administration had operated since 2024. The measure creates immediate implementation demands for the Finance Ministry, Health Ministry, Anatel, and the Central Bank, while shifting the government's position on a consumer-facing issue days before the election. The move also opens a near-term political and legal management phase, because operators, Congress, and affected ministries now have to adjust to a sudden policy reversal.
Watch for
Presidency publication of the provisional measure's full text in the Diário Oficial da União on 2026-09-26 or 2026-09-27, including enforcement clauses and any transition provisions Ministry of Finance statement by 2026-09-28 detailing licensing suspension, operator notification, or sanctions guidance for betting firms Anatel order or technical guidance by 2026-09-29 instructing telecom providers on domain or app access restrictions tied to the ban Central Bank communication by 2026-09-29 on payment blocking rules for PIX, cards, or settlement institutions linked to betting operators
Sources
- Lula encontra empresários em SP após proibir bets · c-level.folha.uol.com.br
- Lula veta bets a nove dias das eleições e contraria medidas da própria gestão · www1.folha.uol.com.br
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