Lula says he will sign provisional measure to end bets, tells clubs to find other income | OneFootball

President Luiz Inácio da Silva, campaigning for re-election, told a Recife rally on Friday he will sign in São Paulo a provisional measure to shut betting operations in Brazil. He warned clubs they will need other revenue.

According to Coluna Do Fla, he rejected claims football would suffer, arguing clubs should not live off poorer fans. He cited Flamengo on R$ 240 million and Corinthians on R$ 150 million from betting, and said teams must seek money elsewhere.

He said a law let clubs become companies, yet few have converted, preferring to rely on betting money.

The measure is not expected to ban sports betting, however restrictions on online casinos could weaken some operators. Club executives fear investment in football could fall given betting brands’ role in sponsorships.

Flamengo are exposed, with Betano as master sponsor on a deal through 2028 worth a fixed R$ 268 million per season, the biggest in Brazil. Betano has informally flagged a possible termination, but there has been no official notice.

Flamengo issued an official note criticising the decision and urging legal certainty and sustainability. It warned sudden rule changes would hit the sport and public revenues, and boost the illegal market. Citing research, the club said an estimated 38% to 44% of online stakes already go to clandestine platforms, down from 41% to 51% in 2025.

Source: Coluna Do Fla

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”