Brazil's Lula bans online betting operations as reelection race tightens

SAO PAULO, Sept 25 - Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Friday announced a ban on online betting operations in Latin America's largest economy, the latest in a series of measures unveiled ahead of next month's election.The move came as opinion polls have shown Lula locked in a tight race with right-wing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, ahead of the October 4 first-round vote.The executive order bans online betting operations in Brazil less than two years after the government kicked off a legal framework allowing the industry to operate. It takes immediate effect but must be approved by Congress within 120 days to remain in force.The crackdown reflects growing concern within the government that rising spending on gambling has drained household budgets and contributed to record levels of indebtedness. Recent surveys showed roughly three-quarters of Brazilians support a complete ban on online betting."We are facing a public health issue involving online betting. It is a serious problem," said Finance Minister Dario Durigan during the announcement.Senator Bolsonaro called the measure "populist, hypocritical and politically motivated" during a campaign rally in Rio de Janeiro on Friday. REUTERS