Brazilian Senator Eduardo Girão Critiques Betting’s Impact on Football: Advocates for Legislative Repeal
In a spirited address during a Senate session last Friday, Senator Eduardo Girão voiced his strong opposition to betting, citing its deleterious effects on Brazil’s football scene. He has called for a complete repeal of current betting legislation amidst increasing concerns over its impact on society.
Girão’s remarks were fueled by the launch of Brazil’s regulated online betting market on January 1, which he argues has contributed to rising addiction rates and increased family debts. As discussions loom around legalizing land-based betting, Girão has taken a firm stance, proposing a ban on all forms of gambling. His push includes a bill introduced late last year aimed at rescinding existing betting laws, though it is still awaiting a rapporteur for further progress.
“We must halt this humanitarian crisis that betting brings,” Girão proclaimed, emphasizing that only a select few benefit while millions bear the consequences. “It is time for this to end. My bill seeks to eliminate sports betting once and for all.”
He expressed urgent concerns regarding the negative ramifications already evident, calling out the lack of accountability among decision-makers contemplating upcoming votes on casinos and bingo halls. Girão has been a longtime critic of gambling in Brazil, and despite his efforts to become Senate president earlier this year, he faced defeat against pro-betting senator Davi Alcolumbre.
In addition to his bill targeting sports betting, Girão has also been advocating for legislation like PL 3,405/2023, which aims to prohibit celebrities from endorsing betting activities. Other proposals, including PL 2,985/2023, seek to limit the broadcast times of betting advertisements, with a vote scheduled in the Sports Commission on Wednesday. Should these proposals move forward, they will be evaluated by the Communication and Digital Law Commission for final approval.
Girão stressed that the financial entanglement of football in betting sponsorships poses a significant threat to the integrity of the sport. He has also proposed establishing a Parliamentary Inquiry Commission (CPI) to investigate misconduct by the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF). Senator Soraya Thronicke, who leads the CPI on betting, noted challenges in probing large betting sponsors associated with Brazilian games, highlighting the complexities of managing the influence of gambling in sports.