Brazil's Parliamentary Front for a Brazil Without Games of Chance held its first official meeting, electing Senator Humberto Costa as President and Senator Eduardo Girão as vice-president.
The group was created to promote debate and initiatives aimed at discouraging gambling activities and addressing what lawmakers describe as their social consequences.
During the meeting, Costa argued that the expansion of online betting and other forms of gambling in Brazil has generated serious harm for families, particularly in relation to financial stability and mental health.
"There are people who see their families completely fall apart, with members borrowing money, unable to pay debts and the consequences of this, including cases of suicide or murder," Costa said.
Senator Eduardo Girão framed the issue as an urgent national matter, especially in light of the growth of online betting platforms.
According to him, public awareness around the risks associated with gambling has increased significantly in recent years.
"We will work together so that this front is active and productive, even in an atypical year, an election year," Girão said, referring to the 2026 electoral cycle.
The parliamentary front also positioned itself clearly against Bill 2,234/2022, which would authorize the operation of land-based casinos and bingo halls in Brazil, legalize betting on horse racing and jogo do bicho, a lottery-style game in Brazil.
Girão criticized what he described as strong lobbying efforts in favour of the proposal.
"The lobbying to authorize land-based casinos, bingo halls and jogo do bicho is very strong," he said.
The recent attempt to fast-track the vote on the bill legalizing land-based casinos in Brazil was rejected
