Brazil toughens rules on ubiquitous online betting ads

Brazil's government is implementing stricter regulations on online betting advertisements, drawing parallels to the stringent controls on tobacco advertising. The move comes as the rapid growth of online gambling is increasingly viewed as a public health issue.

Mandatory warnings such as "Betting can cause addiction" and "Betting makes you lose money" will now be required in all online betting advertisements. Dario Durigan, the Minister of Finance, stated that the objective is to "protect people and treat betting like cigarettes," which face near-total advertising bans in Brazil. The proliferation of "bets" has been accompanied by aggressive and pervasive advertising, appearing on buildings, in stadiums, and at concerts, often promoted by sports stars and influencers, and targeting users with personalized social media ads.

The controversy intensified during the World Cup and is unfolding less than three months before October elections. A significant social problem fueling the debate is the increasing indebtedness of families, especially among the most disadvantaged sectors. Official figures indicate that 63% of those who bet in Brazil have a family income of up to two minimum wages. The new federal rules also prohibit presenting betting as an investment and bar sports commentators from recommending bets during live broadcasts.

Some cities are taking further action. Rio de Janeiro has banned betting advertisements in public spaces by decree, with city workers covering such billboards. Belo Horizonte and São Paulo are also moving in a similar direction. However, the industry's trade association, the Games and Lotteries Association, has labeled these local measures an "unfounded attack" and indicated it will take action against them. Critics argue that the restrictions are insufficient, with the number of people downloading betting apps continuing to rise. Ana Clara Costa, a 21-year-old vendor, expressed that "bets shouldn't even exist" and that those who bet are often seeking to change their lives, falling for deceptive advertising that ultimately makes the poor poorer.

“

Apostar pode causar dependencia. Apostar te faz perder dinheiro.