Limeira City Council approves electronic betting prevention program

The Limeira City Council has approved Bill No. 122/2026, which establishes a municipal program to prevent and combat the damages caused by electronic betting, known as ‘bets’. The initiative, authored by the City Hall, aims to address ludopathy—the inability to control impulses related to gambling—and its subsequent physical, mental, social, and financial consequences.

The program focuses on permanent prevention actions, public awareness regarding the risks of gambling disorders, and facilitating access to public health and social assistance services. Proposed measures include educational campaigns, lectures, and debates in schools and public spaces, as well as the potential creation of a municipal guidance channel for those affected.

Implementation will be intersectoral, involving the Municipal Health Secretariat, the Municipal Secretariat for Social Promotion (Seprosom), and the Limeira Social Fund. The program may also collaborate with universities, civil society organizations, and educational institutions to provide assessment, referral, and monitoring through the municipal health network, including primary care and mental health services.