Brazil's Lula bans online gambling ahead of presidential election
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has issued a provisional order banning online gambling and sports betting just days before the presidential election. Lula described the industry as a cancer, while his political opponent, Flávio Bolsonaro, criticized the move as a populist and politically motivated tactic.
Why it matters
The ban highlights the intersection of social policy and election-year politics in Brazil, potentially impacting millions of users and the country's digital economy.
Image source, Reuters Image caption, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announcing new economic measures in São Paulo
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has announced a ban on online gambling, just days before an election in which he is seeking a fourth term as the country's leader.
Lula, who is running against the son of the incarcerated former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, signed a provisional order on Friday that "prohibits all sports betting and online casinos".
The online gambling industry in Brazil was legalised in 2018 and has since been blamed for widespread household income losses due to addiction.
Lula said that the industry, which he has described as a "cancer". "Either we remove the tumour, or it kills us," he said.
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