Brazil’s betting ban remained a flashpoint in final days of presidential runoff

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva reaffirmed his opposition to reopening Brazil’s betting market ahead of the 25 October presidential runoff on Sunday, while challenger Flávio Bolsonaro faced questions over what alternative he would offer companies and football clubs affected by the prohibition. Speaking during a livestream on 22 October with federal deputy André Janones and financial educator Nath Finanças, Lula said betting platforms would not return. He defended the prohibition as protection against household indebtedness and rejected using losses incurred by poorer people to support football clubs.