The government of Rio de Janeiro has recently cracked down on online gambling promotions, targeting influencers and related companies. The Consumer Protection Agency of Rio de Janeiro State (Procon-RJ), in collaboration with various regulatory bodies, has officially issued notices to over 300 individuals and organizations, demanding immediate correction of illegal activities in gambling promotions. This includes social media celebrities, gambling platforms, media organizations, advertising companies, and technology firms.
This wave of notifications stems from recent hearings by the "Bets Investigation Committee" (CPI das Bets) in the Brazilian Congress, where several popular influencers were named, including Virginia Fonseca, who has millions of followers. The notified parties are required to submit compliance proof within 10 days, or they will face administrative penalties and possibly hefty fines.
The notice specifies several corrective measures, including: gambling advertisements must be clearly labeled and not mislead consumers; it is forbidden to target minors and vulnerable groups with related information; mechanisms must be in place to prevent addiction and debt risks; advertising language must not claim "guaranteed profits"; and platforms must also provide transparent, accessible customer service channels.
This action is seen as an important signal from the Brazilian government in regulating the chaos of gambling advertisements. At the same time, the Brazilian Senate has also just passed a new bill, proposing stricter restrictions on national gambling advertisements.
Officials stated that this move is to prevent the "uncontrolled expansion" of gambling marketing, avoid risks, and implement protection responsibilities for consumers, especially young users. The related investigations are still ongoing and are expected to have a profound impact on the entire Brazilian gambling marketing ecosystem.
