Federal Deputy Ismael Alexandrino wants to redistribute the funds collected from the taxation of sports betting sites and increase the share allocated to the Ministry of Health. According to the text approved in the regulation of bets, 28% would go to tourism, while 1% would go to health. The parliamentarian introduced Bill 3793, which changes the percentages, making it 19% for the former and 10% for the latter.
Federal Deputy Ismael Alexandrino (PSD-GO) aims to secure more funds for prevention and treatment programs for mental health issues, such as gambling addiction, and to strengthen psychosocial care initiatives.
In his justification in Bill 3793, the deputy points out that “the current percentage of 1% is insufficient to address the increase in health problems resulting from sports betting. We need to ensure adequate investment to protect the health of the population”.
Under the proposal, the amount allocated to the Ministry of Tourism would be reduced from 28% to 19%, while the Health Ministry would receive 10% of the total, compared to 1% previously approved in Law 13.756.
In addition to the Bill, the deputy has filed a request for a public hearing in the Health Committee to discuss the issue with the same justification that the initial percentage defined for health is insufficient to address the health problems resulting from sports betting and online gaming.
For the hearing, the parliamentarian asks that representatives from the Ministries of Tourism and Health, a mental health specialist, the president of the Brazilian Psychiatry Association, and also representatives from sports betting and online gaming houses be invited to discuss the topic.
The Bill is awaiting dispatch from the president of the Chamber, and the request for a public hearing is ready to go to discussion and voting in the Health Committee.
Source: GMB
