The Belo Horizonte City Council (CMBH) postponed the vote, in the second round, on two projects that deal with the ban on advertising on online sports betting platforms (bets). Furthermore, the proposals also address the restriction of betting games in the capital of Minas Gerais.
Councilors Pedro Rousseff (PT) and Wagner Ferreira (Rede) presented the texts. However, parliamentarians removed the projects from the agenda after an agreement with the City of Belo Horizonte (PBH). The municipal administration requested more time to analyze the measures.
Meanwhile, the debate continues in the Legislature. The topic involves social and economic impacts of digital betting. Therefore, the discussion gained priority among local authorities.
Why voting on betting projects was postponed
According to the government leader, councilor Bruno Miranda (PDT), electronic games are “a plague on society and do not generate employment and do not bring any benefit to the population”. Still, he stated that regulation must occur at the federal level.
In this sense, Miranda highlighted the need for action by the national government, he cited the position of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The councilor also demanded speed in sending the proposal to the National Congress.
Projects propose broad restrictions on betting contracts and advertising
The project presented by Wagner Ferreira expands the scope of restrictions. In addition to prohibiting advertising in public spaces, the text prevents contracts between PBH and companies linked to the sector.
Specifically, the proposal prohibits agreements with companies whose main or secondary activity is the operation of online betting. Furthermore, the measure includes companies with corporate, contractual or institutional ties with operators in the segment.
Therefore, the proposal seeks to limit the presence of these companies in public administration. Even if they do not work directly in the municipality, the restrictions would still apply.
Thus, the postponement of the vote keeps the matter under analysis, with the national scenario still influencing the next steps.
