Lula criticizes bets: spending what you don't have to win what doesn't exist

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) on Friday reinforced the criticism he has made about online gambling. In a campaign act in Recife (PE), the petista stated that "the money of the game is to buy the food of the children". The declaration comes on the same day that Lula announces, in São Paulo, a package of economic measures, which should include measures against bets and against the indebtedness of families.

"The game money is for children's food, if you want to play, buy a liter of milk for your house, bread, more food for your house. It is not right to spend what you do not have to try to win what does not exist, you can not believe in a lie," said Lula. The speech reinforces the tone adopted by the president throughout the week, with increasingly harsh criticism of gambling and addiction.

The government is preparing measures against gambling.

The expectation is that the government will ban the operation of betting companies in Brazil. During campaign acts in several states throughout the week, the petista has hardened criticisms of gambling and addiction. The change must be announced through Medida Provisória, and Executive bodies are already organizing actions internally on the assumption that the MP will be published at any time.

On Wednesday (23), the president met with ministers of his government to discuss measures for restricting bets. The president has already decided that he wants to make the announcement on the end of bets, but there is a division in the team between a total ban on betting or a superficial impact measure, such as vetoing advertising and banning virtual casinos, such as the “Game of the Tiger”.

Ministers participate in announcement in São Paulo

The minister of the government who participated in the discussions on the changes in the subject, such as Dario Durigan (Fazenda) and Miriam Belchior (Casa Civil), should participate in the event. The Ministers of Finance Dario Durigan, Miriam Belchior, of Casa Civil, Bruno Moretti, of Budget and Planning, Wellignton César, of Justice and Public Security, Sidônio Palmeira, of the Secretariat of Communication, and the President of Banco Central, Gabriel Galípolo, were present.

The presence of economic and political authorities signals the importance of the package for the government, which seeks to respond to the growing concern about the indebtedness of families and the social impacts of online gambling. The source did not detail the exact content of the measures, but it is expected that they will include significant restrictions on the sector.

Election campaign and criticism of bets

President Lula, a candidate for re-election by the PT, campaigned in Rio de Janeiro and other states, using the speeches to warn about the risks of gambling. In his speeches, he has associated the game with the loss of resources that could be destined for basic needs, such as child feeding.

The president’s remarks come at a time of national debate over the regulation of online gambling, which has expanded rapidly in the country. The government is evaluating measures to curb addiction and protect low-income families, who are most affected by gambling-related debt.

This Friday’s announcement should bring definitions about the future of betting in Brazil, with possible impacts for companies in the sector and for millions of users. The population awaits the details of the package, which promises to be a milestone in the government’s economic policy.

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