Tarcísio de Freitas, the incumbent governor of São Paulo who is running for re-election, recently voiced his opposition to sports betting during a debate. Aiming to attract conservative voters, he joined a growing chorus of critics urging Brazil to prohibit gambling.
With a strong likelihood of staying in his position at the Palácio dos Bandeirantes, Tarcísio emphasized, "Either Brazil ends betting, or betting ends Brazil. We have to understand that this is a health problem." His comments were made at the "Health Dialogues" debate organized by the Union of Hospitals, Clinics and Laboratories of São Paulo (SindHosp).
The rapid expansion of online betting platforms has positioned Brazil as one of the world's largest gambling markets. However, Tarcísio contends that this trend has escalated beyond mere entertainment, evolving into a significant public health issue demanding immediate attention. He compared the current situation surrounding online gambling to the battle against smoking that took place decades ago, arguing that gambling addiction should be recognized as an illness requiring specialized treatment.
The governor linked the rise in gambling to increasing debt levels among Brazilians, claiming that "20% of Brazilians' income is committed to gambling," though he did not provide evidence for this statistic. Tarcísio is advocating for the establishment of a national program that is accessible, digitized, and focused specifically on treating 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 surge in online betting has spurred discussions that transcend mere economics, morphing into a moral, social, and electoral issue. Tarcísio’s remarks resonate with recent statements from President Lula, who has also criticized gambling.
Industry representatives acknowledge that they will likely face scrutiny during the election campaign. Plínio Lemos Jorge, in a recent conversation with iGaming Business, remarked, "The industry will have to remain resilient during this period." The president of the National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL) expressed optimism, suggesting that "after this turbulent period, the market tends to become less of a target for criticism."
