To CNN, minister defends restrictions on betting advertising and equal treatment with cigarettes

The Minister of Social Development and Combating Hunger, Wellington Dias, defended restrictions on betting advertising and the sponsorship of football teams by sports betting sites.

For him, it is necessary to match the treatment to that already provided for tobacco and alcohol, with time limitations for advertising and warnings about the risk of addiction.

To CNN, Wellington Dias said that current laws — such as the Consumer Protection Code (CDC) and the Child and Adolescent Statute (ECA) — can now be applied to make some changes.

Other changes, according to him, can be made through the processing of a new bill in the National Congress or a determination by the Federal Supreme Court (STF).

The National Confederation of Commerce in Goods, Services and Tourism (CNC) filed an unconstitutionality lawsuit with the STF against the current law that regulates sports betting.

Minister Luiz Fux, rapporteur of the action, scheduled a public hearing on November 11th to discuss aspects such as the impact of betting on the mental health of bettors and the economic effect of this activity on commerce and the domestic budget.

The government must comment, within the scope of the action, through the Attorney General’s Office (AGU). Wellington Dias stated that his ministry and the Ministry of Health are aligned in defending greater restrictions on betting advertising and football sponsorship, including website names printed on team shirts.

For the minister, bets must directly bear the costs of health treatment for bettors who have fallen into addiction. This would require, according to him, a change in the law.

Wellington Dias said he was concerned about the “stigmatization” of Bolsa Família beneficiaries and adults registered in the Single Registry of government social programs due to the use of part of the money received in betting.

He is against any type of punishment or suspension of benefits. Remember that gaming addiction affects workers and all types of citizens, without distinction, which makes this a much bigger problem. “There can be no stigmatization.”

A study released by the Central Bank showed that around 5 million Bolsa Família beneficiaries sent, in August alone, R$3 billion to bets via pix.

According to Wellington Dias, the Federal Police already has evidence that beneficiaries’ CPFs were used in a misleading way, raising strong suspicions of money laundering.

Last week, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) brought together ministers to discuss the issue. Lula also intends to talk to the presidents of the Chamber, Arthur Lira (PP-AL), and the Senate, Rodrigo Pachedo (PSD-MG), to evaluate the next steps in reforming current regulations.