Lula criticizes Flamengo and Corinthians while defending the end of bets in Brazil

Lula cites Flamengo and Corinthians as he defends the end of betting in Brazil and says clubs will need to find other sources of revenue in the face of the ban on the sector. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva mentioned the amounts received by the two teams in contracts linked to sports betting companies.

Addressing the financial relationship between the clubs and bookmakers, Lula said Flamengo receives approximately R$ 240 million, while Corinthians would have revenue of R$ 150 million linked to the sector.

“They will have to find another way to make money, because the bet will end,” the president said, commenting on the situation of the clubs. The speech was recorded in the midst of the national debate on the economic and social impacts of sports betting.

Clubs have expressed concern

The discussion involving Flamengo, Corinthians and other teams gained momentum after Brazilian clubs began to express concern about the financial consequences of a possible withdrawal of betting companies from the market.

Before the ban, 15 of the 20 Série A clubs had participated in a manifesto against the closure of the betting activities. Among the arguments presented was the impact that the withdrawal of sponsors could have on the revenues of Brazilian football. Flamengo, for example, advocated maintaining a regulated market for sports betting.

Lula, for his part, argued that clubs should not rely on the money spent by the fans themselves on the platforms to finance their activities.

The government has banned bets

The discussion has advanced towards an effective change in legislation. On September 25, 2026, the federal government announced a Medida Provisória banning the exploitation, offering, intermediation and advertising of so-called fixed-quote bets in Brazil.

According to official government information, the measure reaches sports betting and online games and also applies to state and district permits. Other lottery modalities provided for in the legislation were not included in the prohibition.

The government justified the decision mainly by the effects of bets on the debt of families and the problems related to compulsive gambling.

Lula’s statements citing Flamengo and Corinthians also put the impact of the measure on football at the center of the discussion. For clubs that maintain relevant sponsorship contracts with bookmakers, the ban creates the need to replace those revenues and revise trade agreements related to the sector.

 

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