Durigan compares election to «plebiscite» on betting ban under MP No. 1.394

The Finance Minister, Dario Durigan, described the 2026 elections as «a kind of plebiscite» on Provisional Measure No. 1.394, which banned fixed-odds betting in Brazil. The statement was made on October 4, when Durigan voted in São Paulo in the first round, according to SBT News.

In an interview with CNN, reproduced by Veja, the minister reinforced the argument: «What Lula did was a kind of plebiscite so that people can reflect on this». Durigan considers that a result favorable to the government would strengthen the maintenance of the ban: «With the backing of the ballot box, the MP arrives stronger to be voted on in Congress and we can maintain the ban in the coming years», according to SBT News.

What MP No. 1.394 establishes

Published in the Official Gazette of the Union, Provisional Measure No. 1.394, signed by Lula on September 25, 2026, bans nationwide «the operation, offering, intermediation, and advertising of fixed-odds betting lotteries». The text determines that federal authorizations granted to operators be terminated, with no right to a refund of the license fee or to compensation. The MP is valid for 120 days and requires Congressional approval to become permanent law, according to SBT News.

Congressional negotiations

Yogonet reported that members of the Centrão intend to resume negotiations to amend the MP after the runoff, scheduled for October 25. One of the proposals under discussion maintains the ban on online casinos but allows sports betting again. Flávio Bolsonaro, according to Yogonet, has criticized the ban and indicated support for betting linked to sporting events.

It is not determined whether Congress will approve the MP in full, amend it, or let it expire. The outcome of the runoff may influence the balance of power, but there is no formal commitment from any parliamentary bloc on the vote.