Brazil bans online betting as mental health awareness grows

In Brazil, Provisional Measure No. 1,394 has prohibited the exploitation, offering, intermediation, and advertising of online betting and sports gambling. The regulation applies to both physical and virtual environments but excludes traditional lotteries. Existing platforms must make their services unavailable by October 6, with current authorizations set to expire on October 25. Users have until October 5 to withdraw balances.

The measure addresses growing concerns regarding ludopathy, or gambling disorder. According to the Brazilian Ministry of Health, over 28 million Brazilians had engaged in betting in the 12 months prior to a 2023 survey, with 10.9 million showing risky patterns. Clinical estimates suggest approximately 1.4 million people meet the criteria for the condition. Additionally, the Ministry of Finance reported over 1.3 million self-exclusion requests by August 2026, with nearly 36% citing loss of control and mental health impacts.

In Portugal, the Escola Superior de Enfermagem da Universidade do Porto (ESEP) is organizing initiatives to mark World Mental Health Day on October 12. These activities aim to raise awareness about psychological well-being and institutional support resources through interactive dynamics and collaborative displays, following the global movement established by the World Federation for Mental Health.