Augusto Cury criticizes Lula's betting ban as electoralist

Augusto Cury, the presidential candidate for Avante, has criticized President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s recent decision to ban betting in Brazil, labeling the move as 'electoralist.' Cury argued that the administration is more focused on maintaining power than addressing the needs of a population in a 'financial ICU.'

Cury suggested that instead of a total ban, the government should implement high taxation on betting—similar to tobacco—to ensure fiscal responsibility. He claimed the current ban is an attempt to clean up a mess caused by the government's own 2023 regulation of the industry.

In recent polling by Quaest, Lula leads with 39% of the intended vote, followed by Flávio Bolsonaro with 34%. Cury currently sits at 4%, tied with Ronaldo Caiado.