Days before Brazil's October 4 election, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed a provisional measure banning sports betting sites across the country, along with new advertising contracts and sponsorships.

Lula called gambling a public health crisis and compared it to cancer. More than 60 billion reais, about $11 billion, flows each year from Brazilian families to betting companies, and the president said he had met people struggling with gambling addiction.

The measure takes effect immediately but needs approval from Congress to become permanent law. Existing contracts would be voided on October 6.

Brazil granted 85 betting licenses at 30 million reais each, and the sector paid 9.95 billion reais in federal taxes in 2025. Thirteen of the 20 first-division football clubs have betting sponsors.

Flamengo called the ban a heavy blow and warned of cuts to youth academies and women's football. Industry groups said prohibition could push bettors to illegal sites. Senator Flávio Bolsonaro called the move desperate and election-driven; Lula dismissed worries about sports funding as nonsense.