President Lula reiterates that betting will not return in Brazil
In another speech against gambling, Brazil President Lula, a candidate for re-election, stated the ban on betting will continue if he wins another term.
He said that “whoever wants to earn money should work”.
Tied with the opposition candidate, Lula participated on Thursday in a live broadcast with federal deputy André Janones. The parliamentarian launched the channel “Lula’s Army” to boost the presidential campaign, and in the live broadcast, the president resumed the criticism of betting in a bid to try and win the election.
The statement addressed the provocation by influencer Nath Finanças, who pointed out that gambling has a financial impact on families. Thirty minutes into the live stream, she expressed gratitude for the ban on betting following Lula’s participation in an interview with her on the show “Sem Censura”.
“Anyone who wants to earn money has to work”
The president was categorical.
“I learn a lot when I talk to people, and I’m thinking about creating a Civil Society Secretariat to discuss the population’s finances,” he said. “The issue of betting was a blessing from God. I met a group of young people at the Alvorada Palace who were desperate because of their debts. That’s when I decided: We have to end this plague. If we don’t end betting, it will end the Brazilian people.”
He then reinforced his intention not to allow the return of betting.
“I am very happy to have made this decision,” he added. “Betting will not return. Those who want to make money will have to work. Betting on the impoverishment of the already poor and encouraging the poor to help football teams will no longer happen in this country.”
By saying that those who want to earn money should go to work, Lula forgets that thousands of jobs have already been decimated by his provisional measure. According to the National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL), more than 3,500 people were laid off after the MP was issued. The organisation estimates that by the end of the year, layoffs will reach almost six thousand people.
Directions for the sector
Although the president has been adamant about banning betting, it will not be up to him, if elected, to prevent the activity from resuming. Provisional Measure 1,394, issued on 25 September, must be discussed, voted on and approved by Congress to avoid being revoked.
The provisional measure gave a 30-day deadline for all authorisations to be cancelled.
This means that on Sunday, the day of the second round of voting, the licences will expire. The provisional measure must be voted on by 25 November, and can be extended for 60 days, so as not to lapse. However, from 9 November it will block the agenda. As there is a parliamentary recess (23 December to 1 February), if it is extended, it would only be considered in February of next year.
Within the regulatory timeframe, nearly 100 amendments were presented to the provisional measure on betting. On 1 February, the new federal deputies and senators will take office, which could alter the balance of power in Congress. This makes the future of the provisional measure quite uncertain if it is not discussed and voted on during this legislative session.
The Joint Committee for Provisional Measure 1,394 has already appointed 12 senators and 13 representatives as full members. Among the alternates, six senators and seven representatives have been named. The complete committee has 26 senators and 26 representatives. The president and rapporteur have not yet been appointed, and the committee has not yet been installed.
Supreme
The provisional measure could be overturned by the Supreme Federal Court (STF), as numerous lawsuits have been filed with Justice Luiz Fux.
The rapporteur made it clear that he would not make any decision before the end of the electoral process. Thus, a ruling from the STF is expected next week, which could overturn the provisional measure if it is deemed unconstitutional.
The actions taken by the ANJL and the Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming (IBJR) are well-prepared. There are also others, presented by football clubs and the Brazilian Association of Radio and Television Broadcasters (Abert).
Therefore, it will first be up to the STF to decide the matter. If the STF accepts the Provisional Measure, Congress will then be responsible for changing, overturning or allowing it to expire.