"We are preparing a measure to try to block beneficiaries from using their funds for betting. The objective is to prohibit it, but we are analyzing the legal and technical aspects to determine how we can comply with the decision of the Supreme Federal Court," said Regis Dudena.
The secretary emphasized that the agency is taking all necessary precautions to stay within its jurisdiction, as the measure is difficult to implement immediately.
"We need to comply with the Supreme Court's ruling, but we do not yet have a timeline for the measure to take effect. However, we will publish an ordinance on the matter," he stated.
According to him, the authorities are taking all precautions because they are dealing with a legal issue while also respecting a Supreme Court decision. “We want to comply with the ruling in the best possible way."
Simply blocking the Bolsa Família card, according to Dudena, is ineffective. He explained that beneficiaries receive the aid in an account linked to a Bolsa Família card, and other funds are often deposited into the same account.
For beneficiaries who have a standalone Bolsa Família card, not linked to a payment or deposit account, betting is already prohibited. "In our regulations, cards not linked to accounts are prohibited," he said.
"We have presented these issues to the Supreme Court, and we are in the final phase of determining whether this is the best way to comply with the ruling," he concluded.
Source: GMB
