Brazil: Reporter and Former Gambling Addict Advocate for Strict Betting Regulations

Brazil – March 26, 2025 – www.zonadeazar.com During the CPI da Bets hearing on Tuesday (25), Senator Soraya Thronicke (Podemos-MS), the committee’s rapporteur, stated that the Legislative Power still needs to create new rules to limit Brazilians’ access to virtual betting. She criticized the delay in regulating the 2018 law that initiated the legalization of “fixed-odds betting,” which was only implemented in 2023 through Law 14.790. This sector includes sports betting and “online games” that resemble casinos, such as the so-called “Jogo do Tigrinho.”

— We need to make access to virtual betting increasingly difficult. We are here making a mea culpa. We need to legislate to minimize the risks and harms of this activity as much as possible… Now we are here learning and changing the tires while the car is running because this is a new world for all of us — said Soraya.

The CPI heard testimony from former gambler André Rolim, who overcame addiction. He recounted the damages he suffered due to gambling and stressed the need to restrict access to the activity. The committee’s objective is to investigate the impact of online betting on families’ financial health.

Advertising

To prevent gambling addiction, Rolim argued that regulations should establish a maximum playing time for users and impose stricter advertising rules—especially regarding sponsorships of events or celebrities. However, Rolim stated that no restriction would have been enough to stop him from gambling when he was still addicted, four years ago.

— I don’t think any policy could have stopped me. An addict, when active, does whatever it takes [to gamble]. They deceive, they find a way… It’s somewhat naive to think that restricting someone with access to money will make them stop gambling.

For Senator Damares Alves (Republicanos-DF), advertisements must also be restricted. She believes the widespread promotion of betting harms gambling addicts.

— When dealing with an alcoholic, we don’t put them near alcohol. So how can we treat a gambling addict if we are offering them the product every second? It’s impossible to live in this country without being bombarded by betting ads. If you watch a soccer game, there’s a betting ad; if you watch a soap opera, there’s a betting ad…

Damares is the rapporteur of bill (PL) 3563/2024, which bans advertising and sponsorship in the betting sector.

Meanwhile, Soraya criticized the cases reported by Rolim regarding incentives to encourage betting frequency, such as “bonuses” and airline tickets to destinations famous for their casinos, like Las Vegas, USA.

History

Rolim, a businessman, shared with senators the difficulties he faced due to gambling addiction for over twenty years. He said that around 2012, he began losing control over his betting. He managed to overcome the problem with the help of his family starting in 2021, culminating in a four-month rehabilitation clinic stay. He stated that he used to bet on poker, roulette, sports betting, casino games, lottery, and more.

— After three or four years, I realized I could no longer manage my debts. I would log in about eight times a day and play for around half an hour, sometimes an hour. Winning is beautiful, dopamine levels skyrocket. But losing is devastating—it makes you want to disappear. I lost my house, my car, and I am still paying off debts. I owed money on credit cards, to my family, friends, loan sharks… There are still consequences.

Ease of Access

In response to Senator Izalci Lucas (PL-DF), Rolim stated that betting in physical locations—generally a criminal offense—poses more barriers to gamblers than digital platforms. Even online gambling was more challenging in the past, according to him.

— [To bet in a physical location] you have to travel, follow a schedule, tell your wife you’re going out—it’s a series of barriers. [With online gambling] I tell my wife I’m going to the balcony to watch a movie, but I’m actually gambling. In the past, it was much harder to be an online gambler; I needed an international credit card, and there were several restrictions that prevented 24/7 gambling.

Izalci questioned the effectiveness of current regulations, which already prohibit addicted individuals from gambling online and allocate 1% of fixed-odds betting lottery revenue to the Ministry of Health for addiction treatment and prevention programs.

Support

At Soraya’s request, Rolim explained how he overcame addiction and how support from others with the same issue helped him. According to him, gambling addiction is “silent” because it lacks physical symptoms, unlike drug or alcohol addiction.

— You need humility and honesty to tell the truth. For those starting the recovery path, a lot of prayer, spirituality, connection with God, reading, and social environments are essential. For family members: support and patience. When families start talking, the addict often tries to shut down the conversation with short answers. That’s a red flag. Irritability, lack of patience, and isolation are the main behaviors of an addict who needs help.

Requests

Senators approved four requests for information and documents, including confidential ones, from the federal government regarding individuals and companies under CPI investigation, such as Playflow Processadora de Pagamentos.

Two additional requests summon representatives from Pinbank Brasil and Brax Produção e Publicidade to testify before the CPI.

Previous Meeting

The CPI also met last Tuesday (18) to hear lawyer Adélia de Jesus Soares as a witness. According to Soraya, who called the hearing (REQ 396/2025), Adélia is under police investigation for allegedly collaborating with a foreign company to illegally operate gambling activities.

Adélia is expected to return to the CPI to answer further questions, according to Senator Dr. Hiran (PP-RR), the committee’s chairman. During the meeting, she declined to answer several questions due to legal confidentiality regarding her role as a lawyer and the police investigation.

On the same Tuesday (18), senators also approved an invitation for Central Bank President Gabriel Galípolo to clarify (REQ 396/2025) the institution’s role in betting regulation and oversight.

Agência Senado (Reproduction authorized with credit to Agência Senado) Source: Agência Senado