Fortaleza Council Debates Betting’s Public Health Impact
Brazil.– May 6, 2026 – www.zonadeazar.com Fortaleza City Council held a public hearing to discuss the impact of online betting on public health, focusing on gambling addiction and the ability of Brazil’s healthcare system to respond to the issue.
Overview
Fortaleza City Council organised a public hearing on Monday, May 4, to debate the rapid growth of online betting and its social and health-related consequences within the municipality. The initiative was proposed by councillor Benigno Júnior through request nº 6156/2025.
The meeting brought together public officials, mental health specialists and academics to analyse the expansion of online betting in Brazil and the challenges associated with treating gambling addiction, a disorder officially recognised by the World Health Organization as a mental health condition.
The discussion comes amid the continued expansion of Brazil’s regulated betting market, officially launched in January 2025.
Details / Context
During the hearing, councillor Benigno Júnior stated that the rapid expansion of betting platforms requires broader institutional attention from public authorities.
According to the councillor, approximately 80% of Fortaleza’s population depends on Brazil’s public healthcare system (SUS), while the current structure still lacks adequate capacity to properly assist individuals affected by online gambling addiction.
Experts attending the hearing also warned about rising family indebtedness linked to digital betting activity and highlighted the need to strengthen prevention and treatment policies.
Eduardo Rocha Dias, Law Professor at Unifor and Attorney General of the AGU, presented data from Brazil’s Secretariat of Prizes and Betting indicating that Brazilians wagered approximately R$246 billion during 2025.
Dias also argued that operators should monitor potentially harmful gambling patterns, such as late-night betting or excessively long sessions, implementing automatic pauses or exclusions for vulnerable users.
Public Care Structure and Prevention
Rane Felix, Mental Health Coordinator at Ceará’s Health Secretariat, stated that the healthcare system’s primary goal is to provide support to affected individuals without stigma or prejudice.
According to Felix, Ceará currently has 125 CAPS mental health centres, including 32 specialised alcohol and drug treatment units, which are being prepared to expand care related to gambling addiction.
The debate also addressed the importance of educational campaigns and broader public awareness regarding the risks associated with excessive use of online betting platforms.
Future Perspective
The growing legislative and healthcare debate demonstrates that the social impact of online betting is becoming a central issue within Brazil’s public agenda.
While the regulated market continues expanding, state and municipal governments are intensifying discussions surrounding mental health, addiction prevention, advertising restrictions and protection of vulnerable groups.
The topic is expected to gain even greater relevance throughout 2026 as Brazil’s iGaming sector continues growing rapidly and political pressure increases regarding responsible gambling and social protection measures.
🔗 Edited by: @_fonta www.zonadeazar.com
