Brazil's Ministry of Health is preparing a nationwide public awareness campaign aimed at educating the population about the risks associated with online betting and encouraging those experiencing gambling-related harm to seek help.
The initiative will focus on the mental health impacts of excessive gambling while promoting the services available through Brazil's public healthcare system (SUS).
Campaign materials will help people recognize the warning signs of problematic gambling behavior, reduce the stigma surrounding addiction and direct users to specialized treatment and support services.
The campaign also seeks to increase awareness of the public resources available to individuals and families affected by gambling-related harm.
Because Brazil is currently in its electoral period, the Federal Government was required to obtain authorization from the Superior Electoral Court before launching the campaign, as public advertising is subject to strict restrictions during this time.
Court President Nunes Marques authorized the initiative, concluding that the campaign serves a legitimate public health purpose rather than a promotional one.
"The purpose of this campaign is not merely informative or promotional, but it is part of the public mental health policy itself, functioning as a mechanism for prevention, guidance, and expanding the population's access to public care services," he assessed.
Recently, Brazil also introduced a new package of advertising restrictions for licensed betting operators. From 17 July, all betting advertisements must display one of three mandatory warnings: "Betting can cause addiction," "Betting makes you lose money," or "Betting is not an investment."
The Ministry of Health expects the campaign to begin later this month and continue until October
