Lula Wins Fourth Term as Brazil’s Betting Ban Faces Congress and Courts

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has won re-election, securing a fourth presidential term while the future of the country’s betting ban remains unresolved.

Lula received 51.79% of valid votes in the October 25 runoff, compared with 48.21% for Flávio Bolsonaro. Official results showed 64.26 million votes for Lula and 59.83 million for Bolsonaro, a margin of approximately 4.43 million. Turnout was around 80.8%, according to figures released by the Superior Electoral Court. 

The result marked the first reversal of a first-round defeat in a Brazilian presidential election since the return of direct elections in 1989. 

Election Result Does Not Settle Betting Policy

Lula reiterated his opposition to online betting shortly before the election. On October 22, he said betting platforms would not return to operation in Brazil, according to Sporting News.

However, re-election does not make the prohibition permanent. Its continuation depends on the legislative process and potential judicial decisions. 

Provisional Measure 1,394, issued on September 25, prohibits the operation, offering, intermediation and advertising of fixed-odds betting. The Finance Ministry says its scope includes sports betting and online casino games, including services provided by overseas operators to people in Brazil. Other legally authorised lottery categories fall outside the prohibition. 

Congress lists November 23 as the end of the measure’s initial consideration period, with urgency procedures applying from November 9. The measure must be converted into law to remain in force permanently and can receive a further 60-day extension if it has not been voted on. 

Industry Challenges Continue at Supreme Court

Industry associations have also challenged the prohibition before the Supreme Federal Court.

The court has identified separate constitutional challenges from Anseja and the National Association of Games and Lotteries, alongside submissions by the latter and the Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming in an existing case concerning betting regulation.

Their arguments include an alleged lack of constitutional urgency for the provisional measure, harm to legal certainty and disruption of previously authorised businesses. The associations are seeking suspension of the prohibition, but those requests do not themselves permit operators to resume activity. 

A More Difficult Congressional Environment

Lula will face a Congress that shifted further to the right in the legislative elections. Bolsonaro’s Liberal Party gained 23 lower-house seats and nearly doubled its Senate representation, while Lula’s Workers’ Party retained roughly its previous strength.

The new lawmakers take office in February 2027. Those gains strengthen the opposition’s negotiating position, although they do not establish how Congress will vote on the betting measure.