11 million Brazilians struggling with gambling: Senator Girão calls for ban 623k2r

The regulated online gambling industry opened its doors in Brazil on January 1, 2025. While the Secretaria de Prêmios e Apostas has set stringent compliance rules, 37 operators failed to secure a license out of those who initially applied.

Nevertheless, some officials are vehemently opposed to online gambling and its negative social impacts. Senator Girão has been incredibly vocal about his concerns with the industry, calling betting a “humanitarian tragedy.”

Keeping players safe is paramount for regulators. But with concerns surrounding the rise in gambling addiction and borrowing, the question is whether Brazil is doing enough to protect players.

How has the market fared so far? 245a10

The Instituto Brasileiro de Jogo Responsável (IBJR) is leading the charge in Brazil to protect players. They are responsible for promoting responsible gambling in the country, and with over 70% of Brazilians participating in online gambling, many could be susceptible to the issues that come with it.

To safeguard players, IBJR has outlined the following key principles to protect consumers:

• Self-exclusion

• Financial and limits

• Responsible promoting

• Societal education

• Liaising with treatment organisations

Despite this, there are still concerns over player protection. Many players, especially those who have participated in sports betting, have engaged in problem gambling behaviours.

Operators and promoters have been failing to their products to consumers appropriately. This has seen them use aggressive tactics, including extravagant ments plastered across physical and digital locations.

As a result, many new consumers have been attracted to betting markets, opening them up to gambling addiction and financial debt.

Concerns surrounding mental health 5s5p5m

Despite the IBJR’s focus on education and destigmatising gambling and addiction, these issues are still prevalent.

Girão believes that online gambling targets vulnerable groups of people, leading them to false beliefs about landing big wins. He has stated that:

“We need to stop this humanitarian tragedy that is betting. Only a few win: tycoons. And those who lose are millions. For me, it has to end. I have a bill to end it, to ban sports betting again. The damage has already been done, and the signs are there. And there are still people with zero responsibility towards the Brazilian population, with zero social commitment, who are thinking of putting casinos and bingo halls to a vote in this House in the coming weeks.”

Several initiatives run by the IBJR aim to educate, safeguard and protect players. This includes public awareness campaigns, school workshops and a 24/7 helpline service.

Nevertheless, there have been investigations and studies showing that around 11 million people in Brazil have demonstrated unhealthy gambling habits and signs of addiction, while 10% of the population have experienced financial difficulties as a result of gambling.

What should be done to protect players better? s4cs

A new regulated market is bound to have some teething problems. The Brazilian market is showing that it is not easy, and it is clear that more needs to be done to protect consumers.

Online influencers with millions of followers are exacerbating problem gambling, but they are still following rules set by the federal government.

As a result, legislative change, especially on advertising, has been called for to better protect those susceptible to addiction, particularly minors who view influencer content surrounding gambling.

Cooperation the key 3t3cl

Many senators and officials have called for a ban on online gambling to eradicate issues. However, with the regulated market in place, that doesn’t seem likely to happen anytime soon.

Instead, regulators need to crack down on influencer advertising and create more treatment and education for communities. Better cooperation between operators, regulators, and healthcare providers is also needed to safeguard players.