Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has signed a provisional executive order banning fixed-odds betting, which includes the operation, promotion, intermediation, and advertising of such bets. The order takes effect immediately but requires approval from Congress within 120 days to remain in place. It halts new deposits into betting accounts and allows users until October 5 to withdraw their funds. The government has also drafted a bill that would classify certain activities related to fixed-odds betting as criminal offenses, including promoting the bets and using personal data to target potential bettors. Lula described the move as a "hard, drastic and necessary measure," comparing it to removing a tumor to prevent it from spreading. He has previously criticized the betting industry, accusing it at the United Nations of "transforming addiction into profit" and "destroying homes." Public opinion appears to support the ban, with polls showing widespread approval among Brazilians. However, Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, Lula's main political rival, accused the president of using the ban as an "electoral measure" to gain favor before the upcoming election. The issue has gained momentum in recent years, especially during the FIFA World Cup, when betting advertisements became pervasive and the number of people placing bets surged. A 2025 study by the nonprofit Institute of Studies for Health Policies estimated that gambling costs Brazilian society 38.8 billion reais ($7 billion) annually, contributing to increased rates of suicide and depression. The country's central bank reported last year that Brazilians spend around 30 billion reais ($5.7 billion) on bets each month, including those using the federal welfare program Bolsa Familia, which was restricted from betting platforms in 2023. Gambling has been illegal in Brazil, but online betting was legalized in 2018 under President Michel Temer. It expanded further under former President Jair Bolsonaro, Flávio Bolsonaro's father. In December 2023, Lula signed a law to regulate and tax the betting industry for the first time. Shortly after, his administration blocked over 2,000 online betting websites deemed irregular, some linked to criminal organizations. Lula and his administration argue that banning online betting is crucial to both protecting Brazil's economy and addressing public health concerns, as many citizens struggle with addiction and financial hardship due to gambling. While business analysts estimate that sports betting alone generates over $4 billion annually in Brazil, the country's top soccer clubs have warned that the ban could threaten their sponsorships, with some social media users dismissing the claim as exaggerated.