Brazil President Lula Calls for Ban on Online Casino Games

Brazil may revisit rules governing online casino games after President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva publicly called for restrictions on digital gambling platforms. Comments arrived during a nationwide radio and television address tied to International Women Day.

Statement reflects a change in tone compared with the regulatory framework approved under the same administration in 2023.

Good to Know

• Brazil President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called for legislation banning online casino style games.
• Current Brazilian gambling law allows regulated online betting and casino style platforms.
• Lula linked online gambling losses to financial stress within households.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva delivered the message during a national broadcast recorded earlier at the Palácio da Alvorada. Speech lasted nearly six minutes and focused largely on social policies affecting women.

During the address, Lula argued that gambling addiction often creates financial strain inside families and said women frequently bear the consequences.

“Another tragedy affecting Brazilian homes is gambling addiction. Although most addicts are men, the burden falls disproportionately on women. It’s money meant for food, rent, and children’s school that disappears on the cell phone screen,” he stated.

Lula also criticized digital casino style games that operate through mobile phones.

“[Land-based] casinos are prohibited in Brazil. It makes no sense to allow gambling games like “Jogos do Tigrinho” to enter homes, indebting families through their cell phones. We will work together, uniting the Government, Congress, and the Judiciary, to ensure that these digital casinos do not continue to indebt families and destroy homes.”

Policy Direction Conflicts With Earlier Gambling Law

Brazil currently operates under gambling legislation approved at the end of 2023. The law created a regulatory structure for online betting platforms and digital casino games.

Finance Minister Fernando Haddad originally introduced the proposal with the aim of regulating sports betting operators already serving Brazilian customers without a legal framework.

During debate in the Chamber of Deputies, Representative Adolfo Viana introduced an amendment that expanded the bill to include online games. Category includes digital casino products such as the widely known “Jogos do Tigrinho.”

Members of the Federal Senate later attempted to restrict the legislation to sports betting only by removing the casino provisions. The Chamber of Deputies restored the clause before the final vote.

President Lula signed the law in December 2023 without vetoing the expanded language. Regulation governing sports betting platforms later took effect during January 2025.

Recent comments therefore signal a potential shift in policy direction. Government officials may now seek legal changes aimed at limiting or banning certain online casino style games.

During the address, Lula also discussed other policies related to women safety and social welfare.

“Violence against women is not a private matter where nobody interferes.”

Government officials have not yet released specific legislative proposals connected to the potential ban.

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