Temer acknowledges the negative social impact of sports betting, which he legalized in 2018.

Former President Michel Temer acknowledged that the regulation of sports betting may have become a social problem in Brazil, especially for the low-income population. The statement was made during his participation in the Roda Viva program, on TV Cultura, on Monday (15).

In an interview at the broadcaster's studios in São Paulo, Temer was questioned about the provisional measure he signed in 2018, which paved the way for the legalization of sports betting in the country. The former president explained that he initially intended to approve a broader legalization of gambling, including casinos in specific areas of the national territory.

"Today I see that it can be a relevant social problem," Temer declared during the interview. He mentioned being aware that many Brazilians, particularly those with lower purchasing power, are committing significant portions of their income to online gambling.

The situation is exacerbated by reports of people using resources from government social programs to gamble, increasing family debt. Temer described the measure as an "intermediate solution" to the issue of gambling in the country.

“I don’t know if I would do differently. I confess it’s interesting: today I see many news stories about people, especially poorer ones, who allocate a large part of what they earn to these bets. I don’t know if, faced with this reality, I would back down, because here in Brazil, every time you back down, you are criticized. But backing down is a democratic thing,” he stated during the program.

The former president explained that the option of sports betting was adopted as a less comprehensive alternative at the end of his term. At the time, the federal government was seeking to implement new forms of revenue collection to balance public accounts.

The online gambling market in Brazil has generated billions of reais since its regulation. Public health experts, legal professionals, and parliamentarians question the lack of effective mechanisms to prevent gambling addiction and protect families in situations of financial vulnerability.

Proponents of regulation argue that the measure generates tax revenue and establishes clearer rules for the operation of this market in the country.

The debate surrounding sports betting laws continues in Brazil, with differing viewpoints on its impact on Brazilian society.