“The decision by Caixa Econômica Federal to create its own online betting platform may represent one of the greatest moral and social setbacks in the country’s recent history. It is a contradictory, dangerous, and deeply irresponsible move coming from a public institution created to promote social development, affordable housing, and financial inclusion — not to exploit addiction and the economic vulnerability of the poorest population,” Senator Damares Alves said.
According to Damares, the creation of the so-called ‘Caixa 'Bet’ contradicts the federal government’s stated intention to curb the harmful effects of online gambling. In her view, by associating gambling with a public institution known for its credibility, the government is legitimizing an activity that has already led to indebtedness, family breakdown, and mental health problems.
“The same government that claimed it wanted to control the damage now decides to become the agent of exploitation itself, turning a public bank — a symbol of national trust — into an official betting house. Let’s be clear: this is a tragedy in the making!” she declared.
“Those who didn’t believe in betting sites, who were afraid because the ‘tigrinho’ was harmful, will now start believing in bets because they’ll be inside a respected institution. They’re taking 'Bet' something we’ve shown harms health, damages the economy, and destroys families — and putting it inside Caixa, because Caixa has a good image,” Alves criticized.
Source: Agência Senado
