Flávio Bolsonaro Accuses Lula of Electoral Deception Over Betting Ban

Brazilian Senator (and potential presidential candidate) Flávio Bolsonaro has denounced the electoral deception by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva after the declaration of the online betting ban, 9 days before the elections on October 4. Bolsonaro said that the Lula government had previously controlled the sector and taxed operators with licenses, but then banned it.

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Bolsonaro, in a statement posted on social media on September 25, raised the questions of “why” and “how” about the timing and the legal basis of the decision. He said the government had been reaping the rewards of betting on tax revenue and is now trying to prevent it before the elections. The measure also may become invalid if Congress fails to approve it within the time limit, according to his statement.

Bolsonaro Links Regulation to Tax Revenues

Bolsonaro also attacked the rules set in place during Lula’s term, which allowed the authorization and taxation of fixed-odds betting operators. The senator said that in the four years of his time at the helm, the government had captured around R$20 billion in tax revenues from the sector.

“The online casinos were considered a criminal offense under Jair Bolsonaro’s government, but with their regulation under the current administration, they were legalized,” the senator said, according to the statement provided.

He also contended that if the government was truly interested in the social issue of gambling, then it would have tackled it earlier, given the presence of gambling-related social problems such as household debt. The remarks are Bolsonaro’s attack on the administration and its management of the betting market.

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Candidate Distinguishes Online Casinos From Sports Betting

Bolsonaro has also stated his own opinion on online casino gaming versus sports betting. If elected, he plans to ban online casinos, even those often referred to as “Tigrinho,” and also consider keeping sports betting on actual sporting events.

In a live broadcast with political allies, including the governor of São Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas, and the São Paulo mayor, Ricardo Nunes, Bolsonaro stated that sports betting could be subject to public scrutiny since it is allied to real sporting events like football, volleyball, tennis, and other popular games. He did, however, express his disapproval of gambling in general.

Debate Over the Future of Brazil’s Betting Market

The controversy over the law is happening as Brazil’s government attempts to ban online gambling via a provisional measure. Under the provisions of Law No. 14,790/2023, the operators that had obtained a license were permitted to provide games of online casinos and sports betting with fixed odds.

Both sides are advocating for what they believe will be a better future for the Brazilian betting industry, whether it’s the extent of the restrictions, how licensed operators will be treated, or the importance of gambling revenue. Bolsonaro’s remarks are on the timing of the ban and the difference between online gambling and sports betting, while the government’s move aims to ban all online betting.

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Source: SBC Noticias