Brazil: Father Patrick Speaks to the Bets CPI about Online Gambling
Brazil.- May 22, 2025 – www.zonadeazar.com – On Wednesday (21), the Bets CPI heard Father Patrick Fernandes regarding his social and moral perception of online gambling. The guest noted an increase in hospitalization requests from family members of addicted users and stressed that digital influencers opposed to the gambling sector should speak out.
The meeting was held at the request of Senator Dr. Hiran (PP-RR), president of the CPI (REQ 458/2025 – Bets CPI). In the request, the senator justifies that the priest is “an ethical and spiritual reference for many” due to his influence on social media, where he has 6.6 million followers.
According to Father Patrick, although betting advertising is legally permitted, it poses a moral and public health problem. He pointed out that gambling addiction is a mental disorder linked to others, such as anxiety and depression, and often results in “broken families.”
“There is a moral issue behind this. It’s not simply a matter of saying ‘only those who want to gamble do.’ That shows a lack of empathy and a distorted view of reality. The narrative should be: you promote gambling because you want to, not because you’ve been overtaken by it. Money can be tempting… but in the human heart there’s a thirst that is never quenched. The more one has, the more one wants. What’s missing is an understanding of God, who can satisfy this thirst. There is an absence of God in the hearts of those promoting gambling. We believe it is sinful and contrary to human dignity – and those who promote it sin even more.”
Senator Izalci Lucas (PL-DF) emphasized that the gambling debate should go beyond economic interests:
“Father Patrick’s contribution brings a moral authority to a debate that is often limited to figures and money.”
Mobilization
In response to Senator Izalci, Father Patrick argued that current rules to limit harmful gambling use are ineffective and suggested banning online gambling ads by digital influencers. Current advertising rules are based on Law 14.790/2023 and Ministry of Finance Ordinance 1.231/2024. Patrick praised the CPI for raising awareness about the impacts of the betting industry. Prohibitions include making false promises of winnings or targeting children.
“If some people are paid to promote, then others with dignity should speak out against it – not just those with many followers. Maybe some will start feeling ashamed. There needs to be a movement. I’ve seen influencers stop promoting – maybe it’s a reflection of public pressure and what you’re doing here.”
CPI rapporteur, Senator Soraya Thronicke (Podemos-MS), said CPIs play a “pedagogical role”:
“CPI sessions are public, unlike court proceedings. We are gaining public support. The investigation won’t end with the CPI – our duty to oversee and legislate continues.”
Advertising
Senator Cleitinho (Republicanos-MG) criticized what he considers a “collective cancellation” of influencers who promote gambling and were summoned to the CPI, such as Virgínia Fonseca. He apologized for taking a photo with her during her testimony and defended ending gambling ads, as proposed in his bill (PL 2.372/2025).
“It might be immoral [to promote gambling], but it is legal. Still, there’s a collective cancel culture happening, and it’s not just Virgínia. Globo promotes it too. I’m quite radical – I’d end all gambling. If we can’t do that, then the next best thing is to ban the advertising.”
Father Patrick clarified that he does not see influencers as the main cause, but noted that small and mid-sized towns are affected by gambling promotions from local influencers. He shared that he was once offered R$ 560,000 to promote online gambling when he started on social media – an offer he declined.
Addiction Recovery
He also mentioned that, in his work helping addicted individuals in Parauapebas (PA), he has seen increased requests for help from relatives. Most of the cases involve adult men.
“Two years ago, reports of gambling problems were rare – mostly card games. But now, it’s constant. Weekly, one or two people – usually relatives, not the addicts themselves – reach out. Addicted people tend to deny the problem.”
Defamation and Ethics
During the session, senators disagreed on how to handle allegations that lobbyist Silvio Assis extorted betting entrepreneurs, charging fees to avoid being summoned by the CPI. The accusation was brought by Senator Eduardo Girão (Novo-CE), who reiterated his request to summon the lobbyist.
“This request is based on a very serious Veja magazine report [from December 2024],” said Girão.
Senator Soraya criticized Girão for “insinuating defamation” against her, as the article linked her name to Silvio Assis. Soraya and Senator Izalci argued that the matter should be addressed by the Senate’s Ethics Council, not the CPI.
“You’re dragging my name into this. It’s all over the place that I’m behind a R$ 40 million extortion. I will not allow that. Until you’re clear, we will have problems. Take it to the Ethics Council and think a thousand times before speaking,” said Soraya to Girão.
Requests
Senators also approved the summoning of influencer Carlinhos Maia (Luiz Carlos Ferreira dos Santos) – REQ 462/2025.
Additionally, they approved financial intelligence reports (RIF) for influencers Virgínia Fonseca and Rico Melquiades (Luiz Ricardo Melquiades Santiago) – REQ 448 and 459/2025. These reports, prepared by COAF, include confidential financial and banking data.
Source: Agência Senado
Editor: @_fonta – www.zonadeazar.com