Lula Ramps Up Pressure Against Betting Firms Ahead of Supreme Court Hearing

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has called on civil society to push for the removal of betting companies from Brazil. The statement came just hours before a public hearing at the Supreme Federal Court held this Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

The hearing was convened by Justice Luiz Fux to discuss legal actions regarding the regulation of sports betting and lotteries. The meeting brings together representatives from the Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Prosecutor General, and various football clubs, as well as entities from the industrial and communication sectors.

In September, the federal government issued provisional measure 1,394 of 2026. The text mandated the end of the offering, intermediation, and advertising of fixed-odds betting, covering virtual casinos and sports platforms. The rule established deadlines for these companies to exit the market and for the reimbursement of user balances.

The president stated that protecting the population must be the main focus of the discussions. He criticized the companies' profits at the expense of lower-income audiences and requested public participation in the judicial process. The validity of the provisional measure depends on approval by the National Congress within 120 days.

The debate at the Supreme Court covers lawsuits filed before the government measure was issued. The court is seeking technical input to decide on the constitutionality of the betting sector within the national territory.