Edinho Silva advocates for a transition to remove betting from Brazilian football.
The national president of the PT (Workers' Party), Edinho Silva, defended the creation of a transition period for the removal of betting companies from the financing of Brazilian football. This position was stated in an interview with Poder360, published this Tuesday (November 3rd).
Edinho stated that the statement is a personal opinion, since the party has never formulated a collective position on the subject. The warning has a direct effect on Brazilian football, whose clubs and competitions have become dependent on betting companies as their main source of sponsorship after the sector's expansion in the country.
The ban on online gambling in Brazil was formalized by Provisional Measure 1.394, of September 25, 2026, in a decision by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Although he agrees with the measure, Edinho Silva warned of a collateral risk: the migration of bets to clandestine platforms.
"Banning betting could create space for online gambling to develop clandestinely, illegally, and illegal gambling could end up being appropriated by organized crime and used as a money laundering tool," the Workers' Party member stated.
Transition to football
According to Edinho, the exit of betting companies from the sports sector should be gradual and take into account the economic effects on clubs and the entire football industry chain. He acknowledged that betting companies occupied a significant space not only in sponsoring teams, but also in the overall financial structure of the sport.
The president of the PT (Workers' Party) indicated that taking the matter to court could pave the way for a broader debate. According to him, once the judicial decision is reached, it will be possible to establish a transition process that preserves the rights of those involved.
Edinho reiterated that protecting the income of Brazilian families should remain at the heart of any decision regarding online betting . Regarding Lula's decision to act through a provisional measure, the Workers' Party leader was explicit: "President Lula has my full support in this decision. He acted out of sensitivity to the suffering of thousands of families and the need to address a social problem that could no longer be ignored."
Does the Workers' Party (PT) consider the way in which betting was banned in Brazil, through a provisional measure, to be positive? Sports organizations, especially soccer teams, argue that they would need more time to adapt and secure other sponsorships. Does the PT (Workers' Party) consider this argument valid? Another argument that has been used is that outlawing legal betting creates space for illegal betting to thrive. Does the PT agree?
The Workers' Party (PT) never formulated a collective position on gambling. What exists is a position from President Lula's government, with which I think we all agree, given the way gambling has developed in Brazil, causing damage to the income of Brazilian families. That is undeniable.
It is evident, however, that the prohibition of betting could create space for online gambling to develop clandestinely, illegally. And illegal gambling, as Brazil's own history demonstrates, can end up being appropriated by organized crime and used as a money laundering tool.
Therefore, this is a debate that we need to delve deeper into in the coming period, always keeping in mind the defense and preservation of the income of Brazilian families, but also considering the risks that illegality will favor the actions of organized crime and transform this market into an environment conducive to money laundering.
We also need to consider building a transition process that takes into account the presence of betting companies in the financing of Brazilian football. It's undeniable that these companies have come to occupy an important space not only in club sponsorship, but throughout the entire economic chain and the football industry. Therefore, I think we should seek a path that establishes a transitional environment while preserving rights.
We currently have a legal process underway regarding this issue, which will eventually be resolved. Once that resolution is reached, I believe a broader space for dialogue on the topic can be opened.
I want to emphasize that this is a personal position, not a government position or a collective statement from the PT (Workers' Party).
But I consider it fundamental to reaffirm that we cannot, under any circumstances, relinquish the protection of Brazilian families' income. We need to combat all forms of addiction caused by gambling, especially in online gaming modalities.
Preserving the income of Brazilian families should be at the heart of any decision on this issue.
President Lula, however, faced with the seriousness of the situation for Brazilian families, especially the debt caused by gambling and even cases of suicide associated with this problem, understood that it was necessary to act immediately through a provisional measure.
And President Lula has my full support in this decision. He acted out of sensitivity to the suffering of thousands of families and the need to confront a social problem that could no longer be ignored.
