Brazil: Erika Hilton calls for scrutiny of Globo and SBT betting ads

Brazilian congresswoman Erika Hilton has called for consumer protection authorities to expand their scrutiny of betting advertising beyond CazéTV.

The lawmaker argued that big TV broadcasters including Globo, SBT and other networks should also be examined for potential breaches of gambling advertising rules.

The request comes days after Brazil’s National Consumer Secretariat (Senacon) opened an investigation into CazéTV over alleged abusive betting advertising during its FIFA World Cup broadcasts.

Writing on social media, Hilton said the investigation should not be limited to Casimiro Miguel’s streaming platform, despite acknowledging that the broadcaster may have “crossed certain lines.”

“We want to know whether Globo, SBT, pay-TV channels and the operators themselves are also complying with current legislation, betting advertising regulations and the Consumer Protection Code,” she wrote.

According to the congresswoman, betting companies have become so deeply integrated into Brazilian football coverage that it is unlikely any potential regulatory violations are confined to a single broadcaster.

“The reality is that betting has become embedded in football and television,” Hilton said. “Given the sheer volume of betting advertising shown every single day, I find it unlikely that only CazéTV engaged in any form of abusive advertising.”

She added that enforcement should be applied consistently across the market rather than focusing on individual broadcasters.

“The law has to apply to everyone. It has to apply to CazéTV, Globo, SBT, the betting operators, free-to-air television, pay-TV and internet channels. For that, we need proper oversight,” she concluded.

Following criticism from viewers and the launch of Senacon’s investigation, Cazé TV announced it would adopt what it described as a “more specific and conservative” format for betting promotions.