The Minister of Human Rights and Citizenship, Macáe Evaristo, compared “bets” to a “casino in the pocket of every Brazilian” this Monday (11), due to the ease of access to online betting. According to the minister, this has caused “financial ruin” for families.
“Due to the almost ubiquitous advertisements, the freedom and ease of access to gaming platforms, the situation at the moment is unsustainable,” stated Macaé Evaristo.
The statement was made during . The meeting was called by minister Luiz Fux, rapporteur of an action in which the National Confederation of Commerce in Goods, Services and Tourism (CNC) challenges the law that regulated betting activity in Brazil.
According to Macaé Evaristo, betting activity causes an increase in family debt, “with little or no return on the country’s development”. The impact is greater on the poorest social classes, according to the minister. “Children and teenagers from these families are passive victims,” he said.
“Exponential growth has caused financial ruin for many families. These games today constitute a multimillion-dollar industry that uses psychological techniques to maximize user engagement”, he declared.
“Due to the ease of access, it can be said that, with so-called bets, we are allowing the installation of a casino in the pocket of every Brazilian,” said the minister.
According to Macaé Evaristo, Brazil’s development difficulties, people’s desire for a “better future” and the lack of economic perspective end up being “fertile ground for the desperate and sad gamble of the game”.
Evaristo also stated that betting companies use methods that favor bettors’ addiction. The mechanism is similar to that of social networks, as compared.
“It is precisely the same behavioral addiction that leads us to check social media constantly,” he declared. “Social networks are receiving and selling our attention to third parties. Whereas online games receive money immediately and directly”, he added.
Intervention by the Judiciary
In his opening speech, the case’s rapporteur, minister Luiz Fux, said that the STF is analyzing the issue because it was provoked.
“The Judiciary is holding a public hearing on bets. Was it our own initiative? No. The public hearing was, but Justice is a state activity that does not move unless provoked. Many claim judicial activism, that the Judiciary interferes in all matters, [mas] It’s not true,” said the judge.
“The law was enacted by the house of the people, by Congress, it turns out that the STF was called upon to verify whether this law is in accordance with constitutional values”, he concluded.
