According to the author, Congressman Ruy Carneiro (Pode-PB), the goal of the program is to help gambling addicts mitigate the negative impacts of this practice on their lives, including physical, mental, and financial harm.
“A study by the Central Bank revealed that, in August 2024 alone, five million Bolsa Família beneficiaries spent R$ 3 billion (US$522m) on gambling via Pix,” says Carneiro. “In other words, for every R$ 5 (US$.90) paid by the government to families, R$ 1 (US$0.18) was directed toward betting,” he compared.
He adds that between 2018 and 2023, the number of people treated by the SUS (Unified Health System) for gambling-related problems increased from 108 to 1,200.
“The psychosocial support offered to addicts and their families through the SUS and Suas ensures humane care and comprehensive treatment, combating stigmatization and promoting social reintegration,” Carneiro argues.
Goals
The assistance program for people with gambling disorders aims to:
The SUS and Suas must provide specialized mental health care for individuals with gambling disorders in all units of the Psychosocial Care Network.
Funding
The program will be funded by:
Next steps
The proposal will be reviewed conclusively by the committees on Social Security, Social Assistance, Childhood, Adolescence, and Family; Health; Finance and Taxation; and Constitution and Justice.
To become law, the text must be approved by both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate.
Source: Agência Câmara de Notícias
