Rio de Janeiro has become one of the first Brazilian jurisdictions to introduce local legislation addressing gambling-related harm.
The state approved a law that requires public schools to hold regular awareness activities on the risks associated with betting and gambling.
The measure, authored by city councillor Cesar Maia, requires municipal schools to organize at least one educational activity every two months for students, families and school staff.
The initiative aims to raise awareness of gambling-related risks, encourage critical thinking around betting advertising and help identify harmful gambling behaviour at an early stage.
The move comes as betting advertising and gambling addiction have become major topics of debate during the World Cup, particularly following criticism of the prominent exposure given to betting operators during football broadcasts.
Cesar Maia has also proposed creating a Parliamentary Front dedicated to preventing and combating the impacts of gambling and betting.
If approved, the group would bring together lawmakers, universities, consumer protection agencies, healthcare professionals and public authorities to develop prevention campaigns, treatment policies and further research into gambling-related harm.
New figures have also highlighted the wider social impact of gambling
According to employee benefits provider VR, absences from work linked to gambling addiction among 1.3 million formally employed workers more than tripled between 2024 and 2025, rising from 202 to 620 recorded leave periods.
Rio’s City Council is now considering additional proposals that would establish specialist outpatient clinics dedicated to treating gambling disorders combining psychological care with financial counselling to address the debt often associated with compulsive gambling.
The proposal would also involve patients’ families as part of the treatment process.
Another draft bill, which is still being prepared, would prohibit betting advertising in public spaces across the city, including football stadiums.
Finance Minister Dario Durigan has also indicated that the Federal Government could unveil cigarette-style restrictions on betting advertising
