Macaé Evaristo, Ministry of Human Rights and Citizenship, is very concerned about the consequences of people’s exposure to online betting sites. Gambling encourages “addictive behavior” comparable to addiction to alcohol or other drugs. The minister pointed to children and adolescents as groups that could be most affected, according to Agência Brasil.
In her participation in the program Bom Dia, Ministra, produced by Empresa Brasil de Comunicação (EBC), Macaé Evaristo declared that he is against gambling, and stated that he is especially concerned about the exposure that children and adolescents have to these games on the networks social media and on TV.
“I am averse to gambling, betting, and anything that makes someone lose their home for a joke. This is neither natural nor normal, nor should it be encouraged in terms of society. From a political point of view, we have debates on this issue within the scope of the National Council for the Rights of Children and Adolescents. It is an issue that affects families”, said the minister.
For Evaristo, excessive exposure to online betting is something that needs to be combated by public authorities. “On a daily basis and at all times, when we use our cell phones, we are exposed to massive propaganda that naturalizes an issue that is not natural. It is not natural to take your salary, which is to buy food, and put it into the betting game because, in general, the bank wins. You will lose. Be sure of this. You will lose your salary, your home and your children’s food,” she warned.
“From the point of view of the rights of children and adolescents, it is inappropriate that, during football time on TV, all the time, we are seeing advertising about this. This worries me greatly. We have to learn to deal with this issue. To see what mechanisms will be adopted, based on debates in ministries about regulation and how to guarantee the protection of children, adolescents and families”, she added.
One of the issues with wide public discussion today is the use of Bolsa Família resources on online betting sites. The minister said she believes that this inappropriate use of resources is not as significant as has been said. Especially because the majority of these benefits are administered by women. “And we all know that women are more restrained in their use of family money,” she argued.
Macaé Evaristo argued that it is essential that people understand that gambling addiction is not linked to social class, but to a group of society. According to the minister, this is an addictive behavior that, when stimulated, captures people. “Just as no one is free from having an addiction to alcohol and other drugs, no one is free from an addiction to gambling. So this issue needs to be handled carefully,” she said.
