Already targeted for regulation at the federal level, bets are also the subject of proposals at the state level in Minas Gerais. Two projects filed in the Legislative Assembly establish rules to limit advertising of bets and create educational campaigns for children and adolescents about the risks associated with the practice that is currently experiencing its peak of financial movement in the country.
The two Bills were filed in the Minas Gerais Legislature by state deputy Beatriz Cerqueira (PT). The first is Bill 3.017/2024, which proposes the creation of a state campaign to raise awareness about the harms and risks of gambling and online betting in both public and private schools in the state.
The project foresees the development of educational materials and the creation of lectures, debates, and workshops to raise awareness about the risks of online gambling. The proposal also stipulates that education professionals receive training to recognize signs of problematic use and risk behavior in students regarding bets.
The justification presented by the legislator specifically cites a type of service known as the “little tiger game”. According to Cerqueira, this form of online betting has a particular appeal to young people.
“The ‘little tiger game’ or slot game is an example of this type of game, attractive to the curiosity and impulsiveness of children and adolescents, touted on social networks. Exposure to gambling environments can be considered a violation of the fundamental rights of children and adolescents, leading to administrative and criminal sanctions, as provided for in Article 243 of the ECA (Statute of the Child and Adolescent)”, says part of the text.
Bill 3.033/2024 prohibits the advertising and promotion of betting and online games in Minas Gerais. The rule applies not only to advertisements in media vehicles and advertising in public places such as billboards, but also to sponsorship in sports, civic, cultural events of any kind, as well as to clubs, entities, companies, or any institutions, whether public or private.
Among the penalties for non-compliance with the law, if the text is approved, are warnings, temporary suspension of advertising activities in the state, and fines for infractions of 3,000 Fiscal Units of the State of Minas Gerais (UFEMG), currently valued at about R$ 5.28. The sanctions extend to technology companies and internet operators that facilitate the spread of betting advertisements on digital platforms.
More boldly, Bill 3.033/2024 faces a flood of bets in media vehicles and institutions with strong popular appeal. Among the men's football clubs in Series A, B, and C of the Brazilian Championship, for example, 52 of the 60 members have some online betting company as a sponsor, according to a publication made in October by Banco do Brasil.
Even traditional city landmarks, such as the nearly centennial Central Market in Belo Horizonte, receive sponsorships from sports betting servers. Recently, the tourist spot in the state capital changed its ‘naming rights’ to include the KTO brand in the designation.
Both projects presented by Beatriz Cerqueira were filed in the Assembly in the first half of November and have not yet reached the initial stages of consideration by the deputies. The texts must still go through thematic committees before being voted on in two rounds in the Plenary of the House.
Expansion of bets
The discussion about the regulation of bets in Brazil has been moving the public sphere in recent months. The topic is evaluated under two main prisms: economic and social.
The first concerns the potential for revenue collection linked to the betting market that already moves billions of reais in the country. The second concerns the compulsive behavior of some bettors that results in family indebtedness and even impacts mental health.
While the federal government and the National Congress discuss the matter, the DataSenado Institute released data in October about the profile of the bettor and the impact of bets on the family budget in the country.
The survey showed that 13% of Brazilians aged 16 or older, about 22 million inhabitants, declared having participated in this market in the last 30 days.
The survey also showed that more than half (52%) of bettors earn up to two minimum wages per month. Most also say they spent up to R$ 500 on betting apps or websites. The survey also shows that 58% of bettors claim to have debts overdue for more than 90 days.
Online betting in Brazil was allowed via a provisional measure (MP) signed by then-President Michel Temer (MDB) in 2018. The first regulation of the market only occurred last year with Law 14.790, approved in December 2023.
The text, however, only deals with the establishment of fixed quota bets, when the customer is aware of the return rate before playing.
Source: Estado de Minas
