On Monday (11), Brazil’s Minister for Human Rights and Citizenship, Macaé Evaristo, said that virtual bookmakers, popularly known in Brazil as bets, are “a constant stimulus for irrational decision-making and compulsion, due to the almost omnipresent advertising combined with the freedom and ease of access to the platforms”. The statement was made during a public hearing called by Supreme Court Justice Luiz Fux.
The justice also stated that he sees devastating economic results and added: “We are allowing a casino [which are indeed prohibited in Brazil] to be set up in the pocket of every Brazilian.” The public hearing continues today, Tuesday (12).
In addition to Evaristo, the debate was attended by academics and representatives of the government and civil society. The aim was to discuss the constitutionality of virtual betting in the country. Fux is the author of Direct Action for Unconstitutionality (ADI) 7721, which questions the Betting Law (14.790/2023). In his opening speech, the justice pointed out that “this decision has several consequences in various areas, from psychology to economics. That's why the idea is for us to have diverse points of view at this public hearing”.
The Minister of the Attorney General's Office (AGU), Jorge Messias, highlighted the monthly transfer amounts of BRL18 (over US$3,1 billion) to BRL21 billion (over US$ 3,6 billion), with negative consequences on the poorest groups of people (classes D and E), while the representative of the Attorney General's Office, Deputy Attorney General Luiz Augusto Lima, pointed out the ease of the financial flow for online betting.
