Senator Soraya Thronicke (Podemos) presented her final report to the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (CPI) of Bets, this Tuesday (10). The commission investigates irregularities in the online betting sector. However, Senator Izalci Lucas (PL-DF) should present an alternative report.
According to him: “I suggest changing 100% of what is happening today,” he said in a recent interview. The senator advocates a radical change in the regulation of the sector. The committee’s activities are scheduled to end this Saturday (14).
Among the main criticisms present in the final report are the lack of oversight, deficient regulation, excessive advertising, especially by digital influencers, and the social impact of betting.
The senator highlighted in his speech: “we cannot allow games with the Bolsa Família program.” The Central Bank, through technical analysis, showed that, in 2024, around 5 million families benefiting from Bolsa Família transferred around R$3 billion to betting companies via Pix.
According to him, this highlights the social impact of online gambling. However, it is worth noting that these figures were disputed by the betting market at the time. And the Central Bank did not rule out flaws in its study on Bolsa Família beneficiaries’ spending on betting.
However, Izalci Lucas also asked the Central Bank to take an active role in monitoring financial transactions in the sector. According to the senator, this currently takes place without adequate supervision by the government.
Furthermore, it suggested strict limits on advertising, which often misleads and exacerbates addiction, with particular emphasis on advertisements made by digital influencers.
The Bets CPI interviewed 19 people during 20 meetings, analyzed suspicions of money laundering, tax evasion and criminal associations, and collected data from the Financial Activities Control Council (Coaf) and the federal and civil police of several states. The final report recommended indictments and referrals to the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Federal Police.
At the Bets CPI, the senator demands a more responsible State
In the midst of another discussion about increasing taxes on betting companies, Senator Izalci spoke out. The demand is for a leaner, less bureaucratic State that does not burden citizens and companies even more.
Just like in the case of betting, the challenge is to balance revenue collection with the social and economic impact of public policies. For members of parliament like Izalci Lucas, who are involved in both the CPI das Bets and tax discussions, the answer lies in greater control, transparency and responsibility on the part of the State.
“We cannot continue to be the inexhaustible source to cover the State’s inefficiency, whether with taxes or exploiting people’s vulnerability through online gambling,” declared the senator.
