Flávio Bolsonaro criticizes Lula’s betting ban as Brazil orders online betting sites offline from 6 October

Lula’s government has signed a provisional measure that bans the exploitation, offering, intermediation, and advertising of so-called bets, with websites and apps set to go offline from 6 October. For high-risk operators, the important part is simple: Brazil is moving from regulation-by-authorization to a much harder line on access and promotion.

1. The measure signed by Lula on Friday (25) also covers online games, including virtual casinos. According to the government, authorized platforms will no longer be allowed to offer bets or advertise in the country.
2. During a campaign event in Baixada Fluminense, Flávio Bolsonaro attacked the president over the betting crackdown, saying Lula was “desperate” and arguing he expects to win the election in the first round. He framed the government’s move as part of a broader attack on online gambling.
3. The campaign event also included Douglas Ruas, the PL candidate for governor of Rio, and PL Senate candidates Carlos Portinho and Carlos Jordy. The day’s first activity began at 10:40 a.m. in São João de Meriti, with the rally starting at Rua Duque de Caxias, 40, in Vilar dos Teles and scheduled to end at Rua Sandra Maria, 117, in Vila Tiradentes.
4. Beyond betting, Flávio Bolsonaro used the event to outline other campaign promises, including a health-care model he said would follow the standard of Albert Einstein hospital and plans to reduce the age of criminal responsibility to 16. He also promised tougher action against Comando Vermelho, PCC, and militia groups.

For PSPs and acquiring teams, the immediate signal is not subtle: Brazil’s authorized market now faces a direct restriction on both traffic generation and product access, and the government has set a hard date for platforms to come down.