A new proposal entered debate in Brazil as government leader José Guimarães introduced a plan to create a unified national strategy for gambling-related harm. The measure responds to rising concerns around compulsive behaviour as regulated betting expands across the country.
Good to Know
Under the proposed framework, operators would adopt detailed screening and reporting tools aimed at identifying early warning signs. Platforms would run monthly behavioural checks during onboarding phases and instantly block accounts when indicators of compulsive play appear.
Licensed platforms would also deliver weekly messages to customers with reminders about loss limits, risk control and safe-play guidelines. The use of credit cards for betting would be prohibited to reduce impulsive spending and help prevent high-interest debt accumulation.
Guimarães positioned the bill as a coordinated response between regulators, operators and health-care networks, arguing that early detection and targeted communication form essential parts of a modern responsible-play system.
The proposal assigns the Ministry of Finance new responsibilities, including regulation of user-activated spending-limit tools. The ministry would gain authority to define acceptable advertising formats, content, broadcast times and media channels for betting campaigns.
These measures reflect ongoing national discussions about reducing exposure to high-risk marketing and creating clearer guardrails for promotions.
Beyond operator requirements, the bill outlines a national public-health response that includes awareness efforts and integrated treatment options. Health agencies would run campaigns focused on early symptoms, risk factors and accessible support pathways.
The strategy also calls for training programmes for health and social-assistance workers. Federal support would reach scientific research groups developing criteria for identifying behavioural patterns associated with gambling-related harm.
Self-exclusion systems would expand as both online and land-based venues adopt remote blocking tools. This aligns with recent initiatives from the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting to strengthen tools that let players restrict their own access.
The proposal introduces rules enabling cooperation between public-health networks, federal agencies and regulatory bodies. It also establishes frameworks for financing prevention, diagnostic and treatment services related to compulsive gambling.
The measure seeks to standardize national efforts so that operators, regulators and local health systems act under the same strategy rather than separate regional approaches.
Government leader José Guimarães presented the measure to the Chamber of Deputies.
Platforms would screen customer behaviour, send weekly safe-play messages and block accounts showing compulsive patterns.
Yes. Credit-card betting would be prohibited to limit impulsive spending.
The Ministry of Finance would determine approved formats and broadcast times.
Yes. Online platforms and physical venues must provide remote blocking tools.