Bolsa Família and Betting Addiction: A Worrying Trend in Brazil

Brazil: Influencer's Testimony Highlights Addiction Beyond Gambling, Linking Bolsa Família to Betting. A recent Senate hearing on online gambling revealed a concerning link between the Bolsa Família social welfare program and the rise of betting addiction in Brazil. Influencer Rico Melquiades, testifying before the CPI das Bets, stated that "Just as some people get into debt to gamble, others do so to drink. There are various forms of addiction, not just gambling." This statement underscores a broader societal issue, highlighting the vulnerability of individuals to various forms of addiction regardless of their financial circumstances. A Central Bank survey supports this claim, showing that Bolsa Família beneficiaries moved a staggering R$3 billion through betting platforms in August 2024 alone. This translates to an estimated 5 million users of the program engaging in online betting. The testimony and the survey data paint a concerning picture of the scale of the problem and the need for more effective measures to protect vulnerable populations from the harms of addiction. The government and relevant organizations must work together to address this issue and ensure that social welfare programs are not misused to fuel harmful behaviors.