Blask: Lula win means Brazil iGaming will remain offshore for the foreseeable future
Platform reports 13.3% weekly demand drop and a 96% fall one month after the betting ban.
Key Takeaways
- Blask says Lula's 25 October election victory means iGaming will remain offshore in Brazil for a long time.
- iGaming demand fell 13.3% week‑on‑week in the seven days from 19 October to 25 October.
- Blask recorded a 96% decline in iGaming demand one month after the betting ban.
- The Blask Index fell from 7.26 million pre‑ban to 288,000 during 19–25 October.
Blask, a market analytics platform, said Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's victory in Brazil's presidential runoff on 25 October means “iGaming will be offshore in the country for a long time.” The firm reported a 13.3 percent week‑on‑week fall in iGaming demand in the seven days from 19 October to 25 October, from an already low base.
Blask's demand readings and the ban
Blask's analysis states that the country's shutdown of domestic fixed‑odds betting is still unwinding. The platform recorded a 96 percent decline in iGaming demand one month after the ban, with the Blask Index dropping from 7.26 million before the ban to just 288,000 during 19–25 October, “returning to levels last seen in 2019.”
Legal steps and political context
On 25 September, prior to the first round on 4 October, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva issued a provisional measure prohibiting the operation, offering, intermediation and advertising of fixed‑odds betting in the country. Domestic‑based and ‑licensed online providers were required to go offline by 6 October. The final prohibition on domestic suppliers remains subject to congressional approval and has been challenged by industry groups before Brazil’s Supreme Court. For coverage of regulation implications see regulation.
Blask commented that “The Brazilian president did a lot to make [the] Blask Index fall for more than a month.” The platform also noted that demand for offshore‑based online gaming providers in Brazil remained 9 percent below its pre‑ban level, countering expectations of a large‑scale shift to unlicensed operators.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Blask say about the impact of Lula's election on iGaming in Brazil?
Blask said Lula's 25 October victory means iGaming will be offshore in Brazil for a long time. The platform reported a 13.3 percent week‑on‑week drop in demand for 19–25 October and a 96 percent decline one month after the betting ban.
How large was the fall in Brazil's iGaming demand after the betting ban?
iGaming demand fell 96 percent one month after the betting ban. Blask recorded the Blask Index moving from 7.26 million before the ban to 288,000 during 19–25 October.
When did Brazil's provisional measure banning fixed‑odds betting take effect for domestic operators?
The provisional measure was issued on 25 September and domestic‑based, licensed online providers were required to go offline by 6 October. The final prohibition still awaits congressional approval and faces challenges before Brazil’s Supreme Court.
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About the author
Oliver Grant
Industry Technology Correspondent
Oliver Grant covers the technology and business machinery of iGaming — platform and data deals, AI and compliance tooling, affiliate and marketing shifts, and the quarterly numbers behind them. The reports lead with the announcement, name the vendors and figures exactly as published, and separate genuine capability from press-release promise. When a supplier ships a new engine or a regulator tightens ad rules, Oliver Grant explains what actually changes for the companies involved.
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