President holds a meeting this Thursday (Oct 3) to discuss the topic; said that people are “spending what they don’t have”
The president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) said this Thursday (3.Oct.2024) that sports betting in Brazil should be treated as cases of addiction. He is meeting with ministers at Palácio do Planalto to discuss the topic.
“Brazilian society is involved in the famous betting and other types of games. There are a lot of people getting into debt, a lot of people spending what they don’t have. And we think that this has to be treated as an issue of dependence – that is, people are dependent, people are addicted”he declared.
The government’s concern grew regarding gamblers’ addiction and, consequently, the financial impact on families’ pockets. THE Power360 anticipated the information that Bolsa Família beneficiaries spent R$ 10.5 billion with bets from January to August, with R$3 billion in the last month alone.
THE B.C. (Central Bank) expressed concern about the growth of transfers via Pix to bookmakers. The monetary authority monitors the data to diagnose possible effects on default among Brazilian consumers, especially the poorest.
The problem is not exclusively Brazilian. A North American study showed that betting also worsened the finances of consumers in the United States.
The Minister of Finance, Fernando Haddadsaid on Tuesday (Oct 1st) that it will not be an exclusive decision of the economic team to block the use of Bolsa Família for betting and gambling. It is one of the topics to be discussed this Thursday (Oct 3) with the president and the ministries of Health, Social Development and Sports.
“So from here we will make a decision and then you will know what decision the government will present”stated Lula.
“We will listen. The president is inclined not to allow [o uso]but we will listen to the ministers”said Haddad.
The minister defined it as “urgent” taking measures to avoid “harassment” of bets on television and other media.
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