The measure arises from a technical cooperation agreement signed between the Treasury and the Ministry of Health, lasting five years. The self-exclusion tool is part of an integrated plan that provides, for next year, a timely teleservice system for those who identify problems in their relationship with betting, with the support of the Sírio-Libanês Hospital, a center of excellence in São Paulo. It is also planned to train teams from the Psychosocial Reception Network (RAPS), linked to the SUS, to offer this type of specific service to drug addicts. And a mental health self-test will be available on channels such as WhatsApp or the Meu SUS Digital app.
Parliament acted rightly in allowing betting sites to operate. The sector was already functioning irregularly, without any type of control. Prohibition has never been effective in stopping illegal games from operating. Within the framework of state regulation and supervision, it is possible to create policies aimed at mitigating the possible negative effects of betting, in addition to increasing tax revenues. The challenge lies in maintaining control with the rigor and technical capacity necessary to curb clandestine sites, which continue to be used by criminal organizations to launder money and serve as lure for drug addicts.
The authorities must closely monitor betting and monitor the profile of their customers, as the Central Bank and the Ministry of Finance have done. In November, the Federal Court also made a valuable contribution by blocking access to betting for people registered in social programs such as Bolsa Família and Benefício de Prestação Continuada (BPC). Finally, the recent involvement of the Ministry of Health in monitoring psychological effects is positive.
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