Lula bans fixed-odds sports betting a week before Brazilian elections
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has issued a provisional order banning fixed-odds sports betting just days before the national election. Lula characterized the industry as a 'cancer' that causes family debt, while his political rival labeled the move an electoral tactic.
Why it matters
The ban highlights the intersection of public health concerns regarding gambling addiction and the political maneuvering common in high-stakes election cycles.
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Friday described fixed-odds betting as being ‘like a cancer’./Getty Images Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Friday described fixed-odds betting as being ‘like a cancer’./Getty Images Brazil Lula bans fixed-odds sports betting a week before Brazilian elections President’s ‘hard, drastic and necessary measure’, likely to attract widespread public support, polls suggest
Prefer the Guardian on Google Brazilian president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva , has signed an order banning fixed-odds sports betting just over a week before the first round of the presidential election, in a move he said was designed to tackle the pervasive problem of families falling into debt.
The decision ends the operation, offering, intermediation and advertising of betting.
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