Brazil’s Supreme Court bans use of social benefits for gambling, limits advertising to protect minors  

Brazil's Federal Supreme Court Justice Luiz Fux has issued a ruling prohibiting recipients of social welfare benefits, such as Bolsa Família, from using these funds for gambling activities. Fux's decision, announced on Wednesday, mandates that the Ministry of Finance enact “immediate measures” to ensure that government assistance funds are not spent on betting.

The decision also restricts advertising by betting operators in Brazil to exclude marketing aimed at children and teenagers. Justice Fux’s ruling came immediately after a two-day public hearing on November 11 and 12, where representatives from more than 40 entities participated.

Stakeholders included academics, government officials, members of the Executive Branch, the Federal Senate, the Attorney General’s Office, public defenders, the Brazilian Bar Association, football clubs, and civil society. The diverse group provided testimony on the social and economic impact of betting and gambling in Brazil.

Echoing concerns about protecting vulnerable groups, Fux highlighted the necessity of "special protection" in his ruling. He directed that compliance monitoring be implemented according to Ordinance 1231 from the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets, which restricts betting advertisements targeting minors.

Additionally, he stated that resources from social programs, specifically Bolsa Família and the Continuous Benefit Payment (BPC), should not be accessible for use in online sports betting. The BPC program provides a monthly minimum wage for seniors aged 65 or older and people with disabilities of any age.

Wellington Dias, Minister of Social Development, Family, and Hunger Alleviation, voiced support for the decision, aligning it with President Lula’s policies on social welfare protection. This alignment, he noted, further reinforces government efforts to ensure that welfare funds are directed toward essential needs and not diverted into gambling activities.

The court's decision follows a report that shows beneficiaries of Bolsa Família spent around R$3 billion ($160 million) on betting in August, approximately 20% of the program's total monthly distribution.