The Ministry of Development and Social Assistance, Family and Combating Hunger (MDS) announced this Friday (27) the creation of a Working Group to analyze the use of resources from the Bolsa Família card with online betting (bets).
The group will work in partnership with the Federal Inspection Network for Bolsa Família and Cadastro Único with the aim of presenting a proposal, by October 2nd, to restrict the distortion of the purpose of the program. Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health and Civil House will also work on the action in an integrated manner.
In notethe MDS reiterated that social income transfer programs were created to guarantee food security and meet the basic needs of families and people in vulnerable situations.
“The priority will always be to combat hunger and promote dignity for those who need it most”, highlighted the ministry. “MDS’s focus remains firm on ensuring that Bolsa Família continues to be an effective instrument to combat poverty and food insecurity.”
Central Bank
Technical note prepared by the Central Bank (BC) and released last Tuesday (24) showed that Bolsa Família beneficiaries spent R$3 billion on bets (electronic betting companies) via Pix in August.
The survey was carried out at the request of Senator Omar Aziz (PSD-AM), who intends to ask the Attorney General’s Office (PGR) for legal action to remove the internet bookmakers’ pages until they are regulated by the federal government. .
According to the BC’s technical analysis, around 5 million beneficiaries out of a total of approximately 20 million placed bets via Pix. The average expenditure was R$100. Of the 5 million bettors, 70% are heads of families and sent, in August alone, R$2 billion to bets (67% of the total of R$3 billion).
The report includes both betting on sporting events and games in virtual casinos.
Food safety
The Minister of Development and Social Assistance, Family and Combating Hunger, Wellington Dias, spoke about the Central Bank’s withdrawal on Wednesday (25). He recalled that social income transfer programs were created to guarantee food security and meet the basic needs of families in vulnerable situations.
“The priority will always be to combat hunger and promote dignity for those who need it most”, highlighted the minister, in a statement.
“Our focus remains firm: ensuring that Bolsa Família continues to be an effective instrument to combat poverty and food insecurity. We will do everything in our power to ensure that this objective is maintained.”
