São Paulo: Councilman Proposes Ban on Sports Betting Ads
São Paulo, Brazil – 20 de Mayo de 2025 www.zonadeazar.com City Councilman João Jorge (MDB) has introduced a bill that aims to ban sports betting advertisements in stadiums and at sporting events held in São Paulo. The proposal seeks to curb the normalization of betting and protect the public from rising debt linked to the aggressive marketing of betting platforms.
According to data from the Central Bank of Brazil, citizens spend around R$ 30 billion (USD $6 billion) monthly on gambling. In São Paulo, a recent Procon-SP report shows that 48.21% of consumers spend a significant portion of their income on betting, often pulling money from savings or taking out loans.
Fines and Penalties for Non-Compliance
The bill proposes fines and suspension of activities for businesses and event organizers that violate the rules, reinforcing enforcement against betting ad exposure.
National Debate Heats Up
The proposal comes amid a broader national debate. In the Federal Senate, the Sports Betting CPI is investigating match-fixing allegations and money laundering in the betting industry. At the same time, lawmakers are evaluating stricter advertising rules nationwide.
One proposal, by Senator Styvenson Valentim (PSDB-RN), would allow betting ads only between 10 PM and 6 AM. Another seeks to ban online gambling promotions entirely, as well as prohibit the use of celebrities, athletes, influencers, and sports commentators in advertising campaigns.
These proposals will be debated on Wednesday (21st) in the Sports Committee (CEsp) and, if approved, will move to the Committee on Communications and Digital Rights (CCDD) for final analysis.
Social Impact of Sports Betting Raises Concern
The rapid growth of sports betting in Brazil has sparked concern among authorities, consumer protection agencies, and experts, as more people face financial hardship, addiction, and potential criminal exposure. Legislative action aims to regulate the market with consumer protection, transparency, and social responsibility as core priorities.
Editó: @_fonta www.zonadeazar.com