The session was chaired by Councilor Salvino Oliveira, president of the committee, and included Councilors Wagner Tavares (PSB) and Flávio Valle, rapporteur and member, respectively. Deputy Secretary of Education, Hugo Nepomuceno, and Superintendent of Mental Health, Hugo Fagundes, represented the Executive branch.
Councilor Flávio Valle informed that his office prepared a study on the possible regulation of 'Bets'. “There is a tourism factor, and the economic impacts are positive. It is necessary to reach a fair regulation model, but one that places families’ well-being first.” He advocates for strict regulation, establishing specific areas for gaming activity, with strong oversight.
Committee president Salvino Oliveira commented on the data presented. “Today, around 200 companies are authorized by the government to operate. Almost 6,000 operate clandestinely. The challenge is monitoring those without credentials. The State lacks the capacity for enforcement and oversight.” According to him, cases of gambling addiction have risen more than 1,000% in society, destabilizing families due to debt.
Education representative Hugo Nepomuceno stated that the department is following the issue with concern. “Sports betting comes in playful packaging, and teenagers are vulnerable to negative influences.” He pointed out that direct impacts include an epidemic of distraction in classrooms, decreased academic performance, and increased anxiety and depression.
Among the initiatives carried out by the Municipal Department of Education are the School Health Program, which fosters discussions on mental health, and the Technological Educational Gyms (GETs), which, as a preventive measure, address the problem by teaching children to navigate the internet safely.
In the municipal health networks, according to Superintendent Hugo Fagundes, there is no specific structure to treat gambling addiction. So far, in 2025, 35 cases have been recorded. “We know these numbers do not reflect reality,” he noted. For the manager, it is necessary to expand the production of information on the subject and map the problem, enabling the training of professionals to deal with the situation.
“We saw an impact in reducing smoking with the ban on advertising. We know electronic games are here to stay, but we must discourage betting advertisements,” he warned.
For rapporteur Wagner Tavares, the numbers presented by Health are indeed below reality. “Isn’t it possible to create a dedicated channel so that people, confidentially, can seek help?” he suggested. The councilor believes people feel weakened, ashamed, and cornered. “Seeking help becomes more difficult.”
In the area of Education, Nepomuceno highlighted that currently there is no specific reporting mechanism for cases of gambling addiction. “We are discussing, in a working group, how to create mechanisms for these notifications, as in cases of bullying.”
He stressed the importance of strengthening educational campaigns, so that students can bring this information into their homes. He also pointed out the importance of debating the issue in the Youth Council, a project by Rio’s City Council in partnership with the department. “It is necessary to leverage the protagonism of these children and involve them in the debate.”
“The possibility of support and peer-to-peer exchange is more powerful. It is impressive how they can build solutions among themselves,” agreed Hugo Fagundes. He also revealed that the Ministry of Health is concerned about the issue, especially as there are cases of beneficiaries diverting Bolsa Família resources to place online bets. “They are preparing material on the subject. Based on it, we can also develop material for the municipal health network.”
For Salvino Oliveira, unfortunately, there was a delay in holding deeper debates on the subject. “It saddens me to see that politicians, artists, and influencers show no embarrassment in promoting platforms that are indifferent to others’ suffering and make a living out of it,” he lamented. According to the councilor, the committee is expected to hold five more meetings to discuss the matter.
Source: GMB
