Tarcísio de Freitas, the São Paulo governor and a candidate for re-election, has called for a ban on gambling in Brazil, asserting during a recent debate that the country must put an end to betting. This statement marks his alignment with a growing number of politicians voicing concerns about sports betting, aiming to attract conservative voters.
While discussing this issue at the "Health Dialogues" event held by the Union of Hospitals, Clinics and Laboratories of São Paulo (SindHosp), Tarcísio declared, "Either Brazil ends betting, or betting ends Brazil. We have to understand that this is a health problem." He emphasized that the surge in online betting platforms has transformed Brazil into a leading market globally, but he believes this growth poses significant public health risks that require immediate attention.
Tarcísio likens the situation surrounding online gambling to the historical battle against smoking, emphasizing that addiction should be viewed as a health condition that necessitates specialized treatment from the state.
Connecting gambling to the country's increasing debt issues, Tarcísio claimed, "20% of Brazilians' income is committed to gambling," although he did not provide sources for this statistic. He advocates for the establishment of a comprehensive, accessible national program aimed at combating gambling addiction. "We were effective in getting people off tobacco," he remarked, posing the challenge as whether similar effectiveness could be achieved in addressing drug addiction, implying that the current hurdles may even surpass those faced with tobacco in the past.
The rise of online gambling has sparked not only economic discussions but has also woven itself into moral, social, and electoral debates. Tarcísio's statements echo those of President Lula, who has also criticized the growing betting landscape. The representatives of the gambling sector are already bracing for heightened scrutiny during the election campaign.
In a recent discussion with iGaming Business, Plínio Lemos Jorge acknowledged this environment, stating, "The industry will have to remain resilient during this period." He expressed a belief that the gambling market, following this turbulent phase, could become less of a target for criticism in the future.
