CNN Brazil: Lula's government prepares executive order to restrict betting and targets online casinos.

The government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) is preparing a Provisional Measure (MP) to restrict sports betting houses, the so-called bets. According to sources at the Planalto Palace, the intention is to send the text to the National Congress in the week that began this Sunday (September 6).

The initiative, revealed by CNN Brazil 's report , comes at a time when the president's popularity is declining. Less than 30 days before the elections, Lula is experiencing his worst approval rating in the last twelve months, according to data from the PT's own internal polls, revealed by journalist Lauro Jardim in his Sunday column in the newspaper O Globo. Internal campaign surveys show that three out of four Brazilians oppose the bets, with even higher rejection rates among women and young people, groups considered priorities for the reelection campaign.

The government opted for the Provisional Measure precisely because of its immediate effect. Internal assessments indicate that a bill would face resistance in the National Congress and would not be able to pass before the elections. The next week of concentrated effort in the Legislature will only occur in October, and the government's priority at this moment is the Constitutional Amendment Proposal (PEC) to end the 6x1 work schedule. The debate on the content of the Provisional Measure is being led by the Civil House, and the text is still being finalized.

Prohibition of segments on the table

Presidential aides are assessing the effects of restrictive measures and are not ruling out banning entire segments of the sector. Online casinos (online gambling) and certain types of sports betting are being targeted. However, one faction within the government advocates for milder actions, focused on the illegal betting market. The Ministry of Finance, which has led the regulation of the sector in recent years, is resisting harsher measures.

The government's assessment is that the growing indebtedness of the population is directly linked to the expansion of gambling establishments and would have a negative impact on the approval ratings of the so-called "Lula 3" (referring to Lula's third presidential term). The government also recorded an increase in the rate of gambling addiction throughout the country. At a meeting in the Planalto Palace last week, Lula complained that initiatives from his own government, such as expanding income tax exemptions and discounts on electricity bills and the purchase of bottled gas, did not produce the expected effect on the population's finances due to the indebtedness generated by gambling.

Election calculation

The editorial in Estadão , published under the title "At the mercy of the polls," points out that Lula's actions do not reflect genuine concern about the damage caused by online betting. "There is only electoral calculation and a rush to find issues to exploit in the campaign," the text states.

The diagnosis is supported by data. The Latam Pulse Brazil survey, conducted by AtlasIntel in April, showed that 63,2% of respondents believed that online gambling only brings harm to society, and 70% responded that it greatly contributed to the financial ruin of families. The most revealing aspect of the survey was the attribution of responsibility; the majority of respondents, 35,3%, pointed to the Lula government itself as responsible for the spread of gambling in the country.

Lula speaks of a "drastic decision"

In a meeting at the Planalto Palace last week, Lula brought together representatives from economic sectors, civil society organizations, experts, and artists to discuss the issue. Betting companies were not represented at the meeting. The president stated that he "personally" supports the end of sports betting in Brazil.

"Personally, I would put an end to betting. I think it's a bad thing for society. Now, as President of the Republic, I know I have to share decisions to do them in the most correct way possible, without compromising the political, economic, and social stability of this country," said Lula.

The president added that the decision is almost ready. “We have to take action as a state, whether we are going to take a drastic decision or not. I asked you to come here because I wanted to hear what society thinks […] Two-thirds of the decision has already been made; this meeting was needed so that we can sign and make this decision,” he concluded.