Online betting affects consumption and raises awareness for commerce in the Mountain Region, says research

For entities linked to commerce, the numbers raise a warning signal for municipalities whose economy depends on family consumption. In cities in the Mountain Region, where commerce, tourism and the provision of services are important generators of employment and income, the reduction in purchasing power can directly affect small and medium-sized businesses. According to lawyer Ana Lacativa, a specialist in the gaming and betting industry, the growth of this market requires attention to economic consequences. "When part of family income stops circulating in commerce and the services sector and is used for betting, the effects can affect different economic activities. In cities in the Mountain Region, where thousands of small and medium-sized businesses depend directly on the population's consumption capacity, this is a phenomenon that needs to be monitored", he stated. Regulated market Since January 2025, the Brazilian fixed odds betting market has started to operate under new rules established by the federal government. Authorized companies must comply with requirements related to user identification, prevention of money laundering, data protection, prohibition of access by minors and adoption of responsible gaming policies. At the same time, experts warn of the risks posed by clandestine platforms. According to the partner of the company Olho na BET, Dyene Galantini, one way to identify authorized websites is to check whether the electronic address ends in ".bet.br", a domain used by licensed operators in the country. "Authorized platforms need to follow rules and adopt consumer protection mechanisms. Illegal platforms operate outside this system and expose users to greater risks," he explained. Care to avoid losses Experts advise consumers to take some precautions before betting. Among the main recommendations are: check whether the platform is authorized and uses the ".bet.br" domain; not use money intended for essential expenses, such as food, rent and household bills; set a spending limit before betting; do not attempt to immediately recover lost values; avoid betting on impulse or in moments of strong emotion; Be careful if betting starts to compromise your budget, routine or family life. According to Ana Lacativa, one of the main warning signs is when the money spent on betting starts to be missed for day-to-day expenses. "Betting is not an investment nor a source of income. If the money allocated to gambling starts to compromise personal or family expenses, it is a sign that this activity needs to be stopped", said the lawyer. The experts also defend the strengthening of supervision over illegal platforms, financial education actions and awareness campaigns to reduce the impacts of betting on family budgets and, consequently, on the local economy. READ ALSO: Video with racist speeches after Student Games generates repercussions in Cantagalo; young man apologizes in audio Petrópolis receives free vaccination for dogs and cats this Saturday Usina Viva returns to Nova Friburgo with free programming on culture and artificial intelligence