Lula's re-election casts doubt on the future of online betting in Brazil

Brazil's Superior Electoral Court confirmed that Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was re-elected with 52 percent of the vote. The narrow victory shows the polarization in the country, and it also strengthened the president's stance on the online betting sector. During the campaign, Lula's team presented the election as a referendum on betting platforms.

Lula argues that the temporary ban he introduced on September 25 cannot be reversed, and that this "scourge" must be ended to protect indebted families. However, the final decision does not rest on the president's wishes alone. Lawsuits filed by sector representatives are being heard by the Constitutional Court. A ruling that suspends part of the ban would also be critical for Brazil's credibility as a destination for investment.

The process is also ongoing in Congress. A joint committee to review the temporary measure has not yet been formed, and around 100 amendment proposals have been submitted. Some of them would allow sports betting to continue, excluding online casinos, and would protect sponsorship contracts with clubs. Given the opposition's strong position in Congress, it appears difficult for the text to pass in its original form.