DPRJ filed lawsuit against 43 gambling operators

A lawsuit has been filed against 43 gambling operators seeking 300 million reais ($54 million) in collective moral damages caused by misleading gambling advertising. The operators sued by Rio de Janeiro’s Consumer Protection Department (DPRJ) include majors such as Betano, bet365, Pixbet.

Bookmakers have been criticized for using aggressive and potentially misleading advertising featuring celebrities, which experts say masks the real risks associated with gambling, including addiction and financial loss.

“The message being spread – often with the help of celebrities and football icons – is that betting is a modern, smart and promising form of investment. This is completely wrong. Gambling is a game of chance, not a strategy for making a profit. "Just as society has come to understand the dangers of smoking, it must now understand the dangers of gambling addiction," said Paulo Vinicus Cozzolino Abrahão, a representative of the Consumer Protection Division.

Bookmakers are required to warn users of the risks more clearly, using specific wording and warnings about the potential for addiction and financial losses.
In addition to this lawsuit, the DPRJ proposes that players retain the right to file personal damage claims in certain cases.

According to the department, Brazil needs to take a number of measures to ensure safety in the gambling industry. These measures should include: spending limits, "cooling off periods" and stronger prevention of addiction. It should also limit betting advertising, which can lead to debt and promote gambling among children. The plaintiffs also propose creating a system for monitoring user activity and introducing limits on bets.

If the lawsuit is approved, the department will direct funds to gambling addiction treatment programs.