The lawsuit, signed by the Consumer Protection Unit (Nudecon), requests urgent measures to ensure greater safety for consumers and more transparency from the companies.
The DPRJ demands that companies be required to clearly and prominently warn users about the potential harms associated with online gambling. The institution calls for a ban on the exclusive use of the phrase “Play responsibly” in advertising campaigns, considering it vague and insufficient. It also requires the display of clear warnings about gambling risks, with phrases highlighting the dangers of addiction and financial losses.
The action targets 43 companies responsible for operating online sports betting platforms, including some of the most popular in the country, such as Betano, bet365, Pixbet, Esportes da Sorte, MrJack.bet, among others.
According to the DPRJ, the message conveyed by betting operators — with the help of celebrities and football idols — was that betting is almost like investing: a “modern, smart, and promising” activity.
In the document, the DPRJ asks for joint sentencing of the companies to pay R$ 300 million (US$ 54m) in collective moral damages, a value that represents 1% of the R$ 30 billion (US$ 5.4bn) wagered monthly in the country, according to data from the Central Bank. The amount would be allocated to a fund for prevention and treatment of gambling addiction.
“Many people see gambling as a kind of investment, with the idea that there will be a return — which is a completely mistaken notion, born from a lack of financial education and misleading advertising. Gambling is a game of chance, not of luck. Awareness needs to be created,” emphasized Paulo Vinícus Cozzolino Abrahão, Chief Public Defender.
“It’s the same movement that happened with cigarettes in the 1990s, and today there’s a collective awareness that smoking is harmful to health. The issue must be addressed with maximum urgency and seriousness. That’s why the Public Defender’s Office filed this action, to protect consumers.”
According to public defender Luciana Telles, coordinator of Nudecon, the topic has taken on alarming proportions, reflected in the growing number of people seeking help due to over-indebtedness.
“In all areas of consumer law, this is the hot topic right now. We see this increase not only in the Defender’s Office but also in Procons and other consumer protection agencies. We believe it is necessary to file this class action to seek collective and structural protection so that consumers are aware of the risks involved in this type of activity, which can cause addiction and should not be confused with a form of investment,” she said.
In this sense, public defender Tathiane Campos, deputy coordinator of Nudecon, also warns about the risks of betting and how it affects the most vulnerable:
“The Public Defender’s Office has been closely monitoring the impact of online betting on the over-indebtedness of the population. This growth affects the most vulnerable segments of society more severely — especially classes C, D, and E — who often, in search of a supposed opportunity for extra income, end up being seduced by illusory promises of easy money, leading to serious and recurring debt.”
The Public Defender also calls for the adoption of bet limits and even platform usage blocks based on time, alerts in cases of repeated betting — especially during the night — and the creation of a dashboard with detailed information on users' betting history.
In addition to the R$ 300 million (US$ 54m) joint compensation, the DPRJ asks that the ‘Bets’ be held individually liable for damages to consumers — to be claimed by initiative and interest of the affected users.
Support for indebted individuals
The Public Defender’s Office, through the Consumer Protection Unit (Nudecon), offers specialized assistance for people in a situation of over-indebtedness, including those whose debts result from gambling and online betting. Appointments can be easily scheduled via the “Defensoria RJ” app or by calling “129”, expanding access and speeding up support for those in need.
Source: GMB
