Brazil seeks to stamp out online gambling 'epidemic'

Since 2018, Brazil has legalized sports betting sites, which are freely regulated online gambling with virtually no regulations or taxes. However, the sites have recently come under increased scrutiny as experts warn of mental health and financial risks to bettors, as well as allegations of money laundering.

This year, the government of Brazilian President Lula da Silva has tightened regulations on betting sites to combat fraud, money laundering and protect users, such as requiring minors to be banned from betting.

Brazilian government gradually tightens online betting activities

AFP news agency on October 11 quoted an announcement from the Brazilian Ministry of Finance saying that it had discovered more than 2,000 suspicious websites, which were considered non-compliant with regulations, and had asked the Brazilian telecommunications regulator Anatel to block access.

Some betting sites also sponsor prominent Brazilian soccer clubs. The Brazilian government said that sites that violate the law will be banned from advertising, including sponsorship of soccer clubs. More than 200 other sites that comply with the new law will continue to operate.

Brazil's Finance Minister Fernando Haddad said gambling was an "epidemic" in the country. President Lula da Silva warned that gambling was driving many low-income Brazilians into debt. Brazil's central bank estimates that 24 million of its more than 210 million people gamble online.

A recent report from Brazil's central bank revealed that 5 million recipients of the state's Bolsa Familia poverty subsidy, or a quarter of all recipients, spent 3 billion reais (about $540 million) on online gambling in August.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/brazil-tim-cach-dap-dai-dich-ca-do-truc-tuyen-185241012154006818.htm