Brazil's Lula wins fourth term as Congress weighs betting industry changes

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was declared winner of Brazil’s presidential election, securing a fourth term. Lula beat Liberal Party rival Flávio Bolsonaro in a second-round runoff by around four million votes.

Lula gained roughly 11 million more votes from the first round, while Bolsonaro added only three million.

Betting industry in limbo

Lula’s 25 September provisional measure effectively ended Brazil’s legalised betting industry overnight. Congress has the power to alter, amend or reject the president’s provisional measure within 120 days of its introduction.

Nearly 100 proposals to amend the provisional measure have been submitted to Congress. Many of the proposals would bring sportsbooks back while keeping online casinos out.

Lula lacks a majority in both the Senate and Chamber of Deputies, which may complicate efforts to maintain the provisional measure in its current form.