Brazil bans online betting as re-election race tightens

[The Buzz]

In a series of moves ahead of the 4 October election, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has issued an executive order banning online betting and launched a new household debt relief program.

The immediate betting ban reverses a legal framework established less than two years ago and requires congressional approval within 120 days to remain in effect. These policy shifts arrive as polls indicate a tight first-round electoral contest between Lula and right-wing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro.

From Reuters:

The crackdown ​reflects ⁠growing concern within the government that rising spending on gambling has drained household budgets and contributed to record levels of indebtedness. Recent surveys showed roughly three-quarters of Brazilians support a complete ban on online betting.

“We are facing a public health issue involving ⁠online betting. It is a serious problem,” said Finance Minister Dario Durigan during the announcement.

Durigan said that betting firms’ websites will remain available ​for users to ⁠claim remaining funds until Oct. 5. App stores and *network providers will be required to block these websites on Oct. 6, he added.

Flavio Bolsonaro called the measure “populist, hypocritical and politically motivated” during a campaign rally in Rio de Janeiro on Friday.

Read more here: https://www.nbcnews.com/world/brazil/brazils-lula-bans-online-betting-reelection-race-tightens-rcna599959

[AVC-Invest]

From what i understand, online poker is exempt from this bill, as it is classified as a 'game of skill' in Brazil.

[Pokerface]

They can only ban what is in their control, so much is out of their control. As usual, people always find ways around legislation and restrictions.

[The Buzz]

Hundreds of illegal betting sites surface after Brazil’s ban:

https://next.io/news/betting/hundred...ce-brazil-ban/

[Pokerface]

No surprise, interesting in the number so soon. The entire situation in Brazil will be very interesting to see how things transpire.

[arix]

hundreds of sites appearing that fast tells you the infrastructure was already sitting there ready. the operators do not disappear, they just stop being licensed. the part i would watch is payments rather than domains. pix is what made the brazilian market work in the first place, and it is the one piece the government actually controls. dns blocks get bypassed in a day, but pressure on the psps is what really cuts the volume. if that starts, licensed and unlicensed both feel it.