Tarcísio de Freitas, the incumbent governor of São Paulo and a candidate for re-election, emphasized the need for Brazil to eliminate gambling during a recent debate. His remarks come as part of a broader push to attract conservative voters and reflect a growing public discourse against sports betting.
With a high likelihood of continuing his leadership from the Palácio dos Bandeirantes, Tarcísio stated, “Either Brazil ends betting, or betting ends Brazil. We have to understand that this is a health problem.” He made this declaration at the "Health Dialogues" debate hosted by the Union of Hospitals, Clinics and Laboratories of São Paulo (SindHosp).
The rise of online betting platforms has made Brazil one of the largest global markets for gambling, but Tarcísio has characterized this shift as a public health crisis requiring immediate attention. He has drawn parallels between today’s gambling issues and the historical battles against smoking, advocating for the recognition of addiction as a serious health concern in need of specialized care.
Tarcísio claims that the surge in gambling correlates with growing debt among Brazilians, asserting that "20% of Brazilians’ income is committed to gambling," though he did not provide a source for this statistic. He has called for the establishment of a comprehensive, accessible, and digitized national program aimed at addressing gambling addiction.
He remarked, “We were effective in getting people off tobacco. 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 debate surrounding online gambling has evolved beyond merely economic issues, turning into a significant moral, social, and political topic. Tarcísio's comments mirror the sentiments expressed by President Lula, who has also criticized the gambling industry.
Representatives from the gambling sector are aware that they may face scrutiny during the election campaign. Plínio Lemos Jorge, in a conversation with iGaming Business, noted, “The industry will have to remain resilient during this period.” The president of the National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL) expressed hope that after this challenging phase, the market would become less of a target for criticism.
