Former Brazilian Central Bank President Arminio Fraga has said betting and online casino activities should be treated as a public health issue rather than solely through an economic or financial lens.
Fraga argued that gambling-related harm requires greater attention from policymakers and pointed to what he described as growing evidence regarding addiction and its social consequences.
“This is a health issue, not a financial-economic one. There is extensive evidence,” Fraga said.
His comments come as concerns over gambling addiction continue to feature prominently in Brazil’s regulatory debate.
According to figures from the Ministry of Health, Brazil’s public healthcare system (SUS) carried out 883 remote mental health consultations linked to betting addiction between March 3 and May 18.
The service offers free and confidential support through psychologists and psychiatrists, with patients eligible for up to 13 individual or group sessions. Family members and support networks can also participate.
Although Fraga’s appearance focused largely on broader economic topics, including pension reform and public finances, he used the event to reinforce concerns about the social impacts of gambling expansion.
The remarks arrive as policymakers continue examining the country’s betting framework. Recently, Brazil’s Senate Human Rights Committee (CDH) approved invitations for Finance Ministry Executive Secretary Dario Durigan and Secretary of Prizes and Betting Daniele Cardoso to discuss regulation and oversight of the country’s betting market.
The requests, submitted by Senator Eduardo Girão, seek clarification on issues including gambling addiction, consumer protection, betting advertising and the authorisation process for operators.
Brazil’s Ministry of Finance is facing scrutiny after denying access to documents related to the licensing of betting operators
