Lula uses betting ban in appeal to evangelical voters in Brazil
Lula presents Brazil’s fixed-odds betting ban as a family and Christian-values measure in a letter to evangelical voters ahead of the 25 October run-off against Flávio Bolsonaro.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has framed the country’s ban on fixed-odds betting as a defence of families and Christian values as he seeks to narrow Flávio Bolsonaro’s lead among evangelical voters before the 25 October presidential run-off. In a letter to evangelical families published on 14 October, Lula listed action against online betting alongside proposals on working hours, public security, household income and healthcare.
Lula, who acknowledged he is not evangelical, said he respects different religions and shares evangelical Christians’ commitment to family life. He described the betting crackdown as a measure intended to protect households from financial and social harm, saying betting was damaging homes. The letter also linked his support for ending Brazil’s six-day working week and guaranteeing two days of rest to more time for families and church life.
The appeal comes after Flávio Bolsonaro led the first round on 4 October with 47.03% of valid votes to Lula’s 45.16%. Datafolha’s second-round polling put Flávio Bolsonaro at 62% and Lula at 29% among evangelical voters, with a four-point margin of error, while nationally the two were at 47% and 45% within a two-point margin; excluding blank, null and undecided responses, the split was 51% to 49%.
