Tarcísio de Freitas, the São Paulo governor who is running for re-election, declared during a recent debate that Brazil should take decisive action to prohibit betting. In a bid to appeal to conservative voters, he has aligned himself with others in the political arena who are vocal against sports betting.
With significant odds favoring his continuation in the Palácio dos Bandeirantes, Tarcísio asserted, "Either Brazil ends betting, or betting ends Brazil. We have to understand that this is a health problem." This remark was made during the "Health Dialogues" event organized by the Union of Hospitals, Clinics and Laboratories of São Paulo (SindHosp).
The rapid rise of online betting platforms has established Brazil as one of the premier markets globally. However, Tarcísio believes that this trend has evolved beyond mere entertainment into a pressing public health issue that requires immediate action.
He has drawn parallels between today’s rampant online gambling and the historical battle against smoking addiction, emphasizing that gambling addiction needs to be treated as a serious health condition, warranting specialized state support.
Linking the surge in gambling to increased national debt, Tarcísio claimed, "20% of Brazilians’ income is committed to gambling," although he did not specify the source of this statistic. He is advocating for the implementation of a comprehensive, easily accessible, and digitized national program dedicated to treating gambling addiction.
Tarcísio pointed out, "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 conversation around online gambling is not limited to economics; it has also sparked moral, social, and electoral discussions. His comments resonate with those made recently by President Lula, who has also voiced concerns regarding sports betting.
Sector representatives recognize that they will face criticism throughout the election season. Plínio Lemos Jorge, in a recent discussion 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, predicting that "after this turbulent period, the market tends to become less of a target for criticism."
