Tarcísio de Freitas, running for re-election as the governor of São Paulo, announced during a recent debate that Brazil must take action against gambling. He pointed to a growing trend among prominent politicians criticizing sports betting as he seeks conservative support.
Fortified by the prospect of continuing his leadership at the Palácio dos Bandeirantes, Tarcísio declared, "Either Brazil ends betting, or betting ends Brazil. We have to understand that this is a health problem." His remarks were made at the "Health Dialogues" debate organized by the Union of Hospitals, Clinics, and Laboratories of São Paulo (SindHosp).
The rise of online betting platforms has positioned Brazil as one of the largest gambling markets globally. However, Tarcísio contends this trend has shifted from mere entertainment to a pressing public health issue that requires immediate action.
He has likened online gambling addiction to past struggles against smoking, proposing that addiction be treated medically, and advocating for the improvement of specialized care for individuals affected by gambling.
While Tarcísio argues that gambling contributes to financial strain in Brazil, he cited unverified statistics claiming that "20% of Brazilians' income is committed to gambling," without reference to a source for this data.
He urged the establishment of a comprehensive, accessible, and digitized national program to address gambling addiction. "We were effective in getting people off tobacco," he noted. "And so the question is: will we be able to be effective in freeing people from drugs? The challenges are the same now. Perhaps the challenges now are greater than the challenges of tobacco were in the past."
The expansion of online betting has sparked not only economic repercussions but has also led to a broader moral, social, and electoral discourse. Tarcísio’s comments align with those of President Lula, who has also expressed concerns regarding betting.
Industry representatives anticipate that they will be criticized during the election cycle. Plínio Lemos Jorge recently remarked to iGaming Business, "The industry will have to remain resilient during this period." The president of the National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL) expressed belief that "after this turbulent period, the market tends to become less of a target for criticism."
