Last week, the president of the National Social Security Institute (INSS), Alessandro Stefanutto, raised a crucial question about how online betting can impact the organization’s beneficiaries.
A recent study by the Central Bank revealed that, in August, Bolsa Família beneficiaries spent around R$3 billion on betting. Thus, this scenario raises an alert about the expenses of people who often live on tight budgets.
However, it is worth remembering that the Central Bank itself acknowledged that this survey may contain flaws, as it did not consider important elements such as the amounts returned to players as prizes.
The impact on the lives of INSS beneficiaries
Currently, INSS serves approximately 40 million people monthly. But, despite not facing the food insecurity common to Bolsa Família beneficiaries, they live on a restricted budget.
Stefanutto highlighted that the financial situation of retirees, on average, is quite different from that of those with higher incomes. “If you earn R$30,000 and want to spend R$5,000 on gambling, I don’t recommend it, but your financial health will not be disturbed,” he highlighted.
However, Stefanutto emphasized the vulnerability of those who receive the Assistance Benefit for Persons with Disabilities (BPC/LOAS). These beneficiaries tend to have a very precarious financial condition.
So, to understand how much the bets are affecting your finances, the president of the INSS intends to carry out a new analysis. The objective is to outline the spending profile of these citizens.
The concern is not unfounded. The average income of retirees is around R$1,900. Thus, for many, this amount is the necessary support for food and small expenses, such as the grandchild’s school fees.
“We have to check what is happening, carry out campaigns among our public”, stated Stefanutto. He also highlighted the need for a more proactive approach from the INSS to this issue.
Seeking solutions and data
In seeking to better understand the spending profile of beneficiaries, the INSS is also in contact with the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). The idea is to obtain more detailed data on how retirees and beneficiaries use their resources, especially in the context of online betting.
Therefore, this initiative aims to establish a clear picture and possible interventions that can help protect these individuals from financial risks. “The INSS can no longer act like this: ‘I gave you the benefit, I don’t want to see you here anymore’”, he warned.
Thus, the president makes clear the importance of identifying and tackling problems related to spending on betting to protect beneficiaries.
