Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has signed a provisional measure banning fixed-odds betting, with the prohibition taking effect immediately, just days before the country’s presidential election.

The measure was signed on September 26, 2026. Reporting frames the move as an effort to curb the gambling industry’s influence over the October vote, after betting advertising and sponsorship became a major feature of Brazilian public life.

The ban covers online fixed-odds betting, a sector that grew rapidly in Brazil in recent years. The measure is provisional, meaning it must be reviewed by Congress to remain in force.

The decision is likely to face legal and political challenges from the gambling industry. Supporters argue it protects voters and young people from aggressive betting promotion, while critics may call it election-season overreach.

The gambling industry reacted quickly, with operators warning that a sudden ban could push bettors toward unregulated offshore sites. Industry groups have argued for strict regulation instead of prohibition, saying licensed operators can be taxed and monitored. The government has countered that the social costs of gambling, including debt and addiction, outweigh the tax revenue.