During a Senate plenary session on Friday, Girão emphasized the need for a ban on betting due to concerns about its impact on Brazilian football.
Girão attributed the rise in addiction and family debt in Brazil, following the launch of its regulated online betting sector on 1 January, to betting activities.
Amid speculation about the impending legalization of land-based betting, Girão has advocated for the complete prohibition of the industry. He proposed a bill at the end of 2024 aimed at repealing existing betting laws.
However, the bill is still pending the appointment of a rapporteur.
“We must halt this humanitarian crisis caused by betting,” Girão stated. “Only a few benefit: the tycoons. The losers are the masses. It must end. I have a bill to terminate it and once again outlaw sports betting.
“The harm has been done, the warning signs are evident. Yet, some remain utterly indifferent to the Brazilian populace, displaying no social responsibility, contemplating the approval of casinos and bingo halls in the upcoming weeks.”
Girão has long been a staunch opponent of gambling in Brazil. His bid for Senate presidency earlier this year was unsuccessful, losing to betting advocate Davi Alcolumbre.
Influence of betting on Brazilian football
In addition to his push to ban sports betting, Girão introduced PL 3,405/2023, which seeks to prohibit the use of celebrities in betting advertisements for sports events.
These bills, along with PL 2,985/2023, which aims to restrict the airing of betting advertisements, are scheduled for a vote this Wednesday.
If approved by the Sports Commission, the bills will then move to the Communication and Digital Law Commission for final decision on their enactment as laws.
Girão contends that football’s reliance on betting sponsorships is detrimental to the sport. He has proposed the establishment of a Parliamentary Inquiry Commission (CPI) to investigate potential misconduct by the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF).
Senator Soraya Thronicke, head of the CPI on betting, expressed challenges in investigating major betting companies sponsoring games in Brazil, including the CBF.
