Brazil's Lula bans online betting ahead of presidential election

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed an executive order banning online gambling, sports betting, and digital casinos across the country. The decision comes just days before the presidential election, where Lula is campaigning for a fourth term against Senator Flávio Bolsonaro.

Government officials cited rising household debt linked to aggressive marketing by betting platforms as a primary driver for the intervention. While online gambling has recently become a major source of revenue for Brazilian football clubs, the industry has drawn widespread criticism over its social and financial impact on families.

Sources: BBC News, Berlingske, Canarias7, Svenska Dagbladet, Sweden Herald