Brazilian senator Girão advocates for ban on football betting
During the recent Brazilian Senate plenary session, Senator Eduardo Girão requested an outright prohibition of all kinds of betting, referring to it as a “humanitarian tragedy.” The request was made in the aftermath of the recent legalisation of online betting, lending weight and controversy to his remark.
In the course of the plenary session speech, Girão blamed the increase in addiction and family borrowing on the newly introduced regulated online gaming industry, which opened on 1 January 2025.
Girão’s main concerns over gambling
Senator Eduardo Girão, a long-time critic of legalised betting, has consistently voiced concerns about its negative impact on Brazilian society. Originally from Ceará, Girão ran for Senate with strong social values and has positioned himself as a moral watchdog.
On 1 January 2025, Brazil launched its regulated online betting sector, sparking a gold rush among operators and investors. Brazil launched its much-anticipated legal online betting market, with 14 companies receiving full authorisation so far. Suddenly, sports events had flashy betting sponsors, and gambling ads were everywhere—from football stadiums to phone screens.
Addiction and mental health issues
One of Girão’s primary arguments is the rise in gambling addiction. He claims betting preys on the emotional vulnerabilities of people who think they can “win big”—only to fall into cycles of loss and despair. He warns that families are spiralling into debt because of compulsive gambling. When one member loses control, the entire household suffers, from unpaid bills to broken relationships.
Girão said in a , “We need to stop this humanitarian tragedy that is betting. Only a few win: tycoons. And those who lose are millions. For me, it has to end. I have a bill to end it, to ban sports betting again. The damage has already been done, and the signs are there. And there are still people with zero responsibility towards the Brazilian population, with zero social commitment, who are thinking of putting 바카라s and bingo halls to a vote in this House in the coming weeks.”
The push for a CPI investigation
Senator Eduardo Girão is advocating for a Parliamentary Inquiry Commission (CPI) to investigate the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) and its connections to betting companies. However, Senator Soraya Thronicke mentioned the challenges in investigating major betting firms. Thronicke stated, “We’re having enormous difficulty investigating major betting firms.”
Girão’s position has been opposed within the Senate, sparking a bigger national ethical and economic debate. According to him, the soccer market’s dependency on betting sponsorship is detrimental, and he has requested a CPI to probe supposed irregularities on the part of the CBF.
He said, “The CBF, facing so many allegations, is under scrutiny right now. But it seems a resolution is near, provided there’s no further interference from the Supreme Court. A resolution that might allow us to hope again that Brazilian football gets back on track.”
Girão also praised Flamengo coach Filipe Luís for not participating in promotional campaigns despite his team’s sponsorship by betting platforms.
NÃO ERA ESSE GOV Q DEFENDERIA OS MAIS POBRES? AINDA BEM Q TEMOS FELIPE LUÍS
— Eduardo Girão (@EduGiraoOficial)
A CPI das BETS virou circo de vez quando seu comando, em vez de manter a liturgia, brincou, jogou e tirou até selfie com os depoentes-influencers de JOGOS DE AZAR em vez de tratar c/ seriedade um…
The political fight against gambling
At the end of 2024, Senator Eduardo Girão introduced a bill to repeal all betting laws, which is currently awaiting a rapporteur. The PL 3,405/2023 bill aims to ban celebrities from promoting betting, as their influence can affect youth and vulnerable audiences. The PL 2,985/2023 bill proposes restricting the broadcast times of betting ads, similar to regulations for alcohol and tobacco. Both bills are now with the Sports Commission for voting.
If the Sports Commission approves the bills, they will be sent to the Communication and Digital Law Commission for final analysis and decision on whether to pass them into law.
