During a recent Senate plenary session on Friday, Senator Girão emphasized the need for a ban on betting in Brazil, citing concerns over its negative impact on Brazilian football. He attributed the rise in addiction and family debt to the regulated online betting sector, which began operating on January 1. With speculation surrounding an impending vote to legalize land-based betting, Girão is advocating for a comprehensive prohibition, having introduced a bill late last year aimed at repealing existing betting laws. This bill is currently pending the appointment of a rapporteur.
Girão expressed his views passionately, stating, "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." He continued, highlighting that the damage has already occurred and criticized the lack of responsibility among those considering proposals for casinos and bingo halls.
A long-standing opponent of gambling, Girão faced a setback earlier this year when he lost the Senate presidency to Davi Alcolumbre, a proponent of betting.
In addition to the sports betting ban bill, Girão has sponsored PL 3,405/2023, which would prohibit the use of celebrities in advertisements for betting on sports events. This bill, together with PL 2,985/2023, which seeks to limit the times that betting advertisements can be aired, is scheduled for a vote this Wednesday. If approved by the Sports Commission, these proposals will advance to the Communication and Digital Law Commission for final consideration.
Girão argues that the reliance of the football industry on betting sponsorships is detrimental. He has called for the establishment of a Parliamentary Inquiry Commission (CPI) to investigate alleged misconduct by the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF). Senator Soraya Thronicke, who leads the CPI on betting, has remarked on the challenges faced in probing large betting companies that sponsor Brazilian games, citing difficulties involved in the investigation process.
