Brazil’s Lula bans online betting as re-election race tightens

SAO PAULO — Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Friday announced a ban on online betting operations in Latin America’s largest economy ⁠and unveiled a new debt relief program aimed at households, the latest in a series of measures introduced ahead of next month’s election.

Opinion polls have shown Lula locked in a tight race with right-wing Sen. Flavio Bolsonaro, eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, ahead of the Oct. 4 first-round vote.

The executive order bans online betting operations in Brazil, less than two years after the government kicked off a legal framework allowing the industry to operate. It takes immediate effect but ⁠must be approved by Congress within 120 days to remain in force.

The crackdown ​reflects ⁠growing concern within the government that rising spending on gambling has drained household budgets and contributed to record levels of indebtedness. Recent surveys showed roughly three-quarters of Brazilians support a complete ban on online betting.

“We are facing a public health issue involving ⁠online betting. It is a serious problem,” said Finance Minister Dario Durigan during the announcement.

Durigan said that betting firms’ websites will remain available ​for users to ⁠claim remaining funds until Oct. 5. App stores…

Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/world