Brazil eyes cigarette-style curbs on betting ads

Brazil’s Government is preparing another tightening of its gambling regulations, with Finance Minister Dario Durigan confirming that fresh restrictions on betting advertising could be announced within days.

Speaking after the launch of the expanded Desenrola Adimplentes debt renegotiation program, Durigan said the Government is considering implementing the measures either through administrative acts or, if necessary, via a provisional presidential decree.

“We will continue taking measures so that betting advertising is reduced and limited,” Durigan told reporters. “Whether through administrative acts or, if necessary, through a provisional measure. We should have further announcements during the week.”

The announcement represents the latest step in the Government’s increasingly restrictive approach towards gambling advertising, particularly following the surge in betting promotions during broadcasts of the World Cup.

“Looking at cigarettes, for example, where advertising is extremely limited and highly restrictive, that is the direction we want to take for betting advertising as well,” he said.

The changes build on a series of measures targeting the sector, including tighter enforcement against illegal operators, new responsible gambling initiatives and increased scrutiny of betting marketing practices in the country.

The Finance Minister also confirmed that informal workers and students with loans through Brazil’s Student Financing Fund (FIES) program who enroll in the expanded Desenrola debt relief scheme will be required to activate betting self-exclusion for six months as a condition for accessing the program’s favourable renegotiation terms.

“So they can reorganize their finances while benefiting from cheaper credit and debt renegotiation,” Durigan said.

The announcement comes shortly after the Ministry of Justice launched a nationwide public awareness campaign promoting transparency, consumer protection and responsible gambling.