Brazil’s President Criticizes Bets in UN Speech

Lula criticizes online betting model

Online betting was among the domestic political issues addressed by Lula during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday (September 22, 2026), in New York.

When referring to the sector, the president said that betting companies “turn addiction into profit” and stated that he “will not tolerate this business model.”

The statement came ahead of the submission of a provisional measure that the government is preparing to tighten regulations for online betting. According to the information presented in the speech, the bill is expected to be sent to Congress later this week.

Possible ban on online casinos

Among the measures included in the proposal is the possibility of banning online casinos, referred to in the text as the “jogo do tigrinho.”

The measure represents one of the main points related to the betting market mentioned by Lula in his UN speech, which also addressed issues such as artificial intelligence, Big Tech companies and the maintenance of Pix as public infrastructure.

The president linked online betting to the debate over new technologies and said that the activity causes addiction. In its summary of the main issues addressed in his speech, Poder360 also noted that Lula referred to the “addiction caused by online betting (bets).”

Betting enters Brazil’s political agenda

The reference to betting came at a time when domestic issues featured prominently in Lula’s speech. Although the opening of the UN General Assembly was primarily focused on the international agenda, the president also addressed issues that are part of his government’s political agenda and electoral campaign.

In addition to online betting, Lula spoke about the regulation of Big Tech companies and artificial intelligence, advocating for rules governing the sector. According to the president, the lack of regulation represents a “historic omission,” while he described the current technological race as “neoliberalism without rules.”

The reference to betting was made within this broader discussion about regulation and new technologies.

Government prepares changes to betting rules

Lula’s statement comes ahead of the presentation of a provisional measure that could change the rules governing the online betting market.

According to the information presented, the measure is expected to reach Congress later this week. One of the possibilities under discussion is a ban on online casinos, while the government seeks to tighten the sector’s rules.

The measure comes amid Brazil’s electoral campaign, with the first round scheduled for October 4. Lula’s UN speech also included other policies supported by the government, such as ending the six-day-on, one-day-off work schedule, measures to protect women and the fight against organized crime.

Speech came 12 days before the first round

The 81st UN General Assembly was opened by Lula in New York on September 22, 12 days before the first round of Brazil’s elections. This was the 10th time the president had opened the General Debate of the UN General Assembly.

After addressing various issues on the international agenda, Lula spoke directly about the Brazilian elections and said that voters will “decide between democracy and denialism” in October.

The word “democracy” was mentioned five times during the speech. The president also stated that “Brazilian democracy belongs to Brazilians” and that the election result must respect the will of the people.