On September 14, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva reiterated his condemnation of online gambling, labeling it as a disease and indicating that his administration will soon reveal its stance on the operation of betting websites.
During a ceremony in Brasília for the signing of the Move Brasil law, Lula shared that he had recently engaged with individuals suffering from gambling addiction, describing the experience as deeply distressing.
“I had a very painful meeting yesterday with individuals who are victims of gambling on betting sites. It seems that very few Brazilian authorities truly understand the extent of what is occurring in our nation. There is significant suffering and rampant addiction,” Lula stated.
The president further criticized betting platforms, accusing them of having the power to ensnare individuals into addiction.
“We are in the process of making decisions, and we will soon announce our conclusions regarding this issue, as it is an illness, not merely a game. It involves the manipulation of innocent individuals into addiction,” he remarked.
These statements come at a time when Lula's government is looking to enhance regulation of betting platforms. While online betting was initially regulated under his administration, Lula has since adopted a more stringent stance against the industry.
The Ministry of Finance is set to increase its oversight of betting sites, and Lula has openly expressed the need to close them down. This topic has also become a significant political issue, with Lula being one of the presidential candidates most vocally opposed to gambling.