Belo Horizonte Approves Pioneering Mental Health Policy for Gambling Addiction
Belo Horizonte's City Council approves a new municipal policy on mental health care dedicated to combating gambling addiction, especially from electronic games.
- • Belo Horizonte's City Council approved Project Law 332/2025 focused on mental health for gambling addiction.
- • The legislation addresses the surge in online gambling addiction with specialized treatment and preventive measures.
- • The vote was unanimous with 39 in favor, highlighting broad political support.
- • The policy includes educational campaigns and training for public officials to handle gambling addiction cases.
Key details
On November 6, 2025, Belo Horizonte's City Council took a decisive step by approving the first reading of Project Law 332/2025, focused on establishing a Municipal Policy for Mental Health Care for individuals suffering from gambling addiction, with particular attention to electronic games. The bill, authored by councilman Pedro Rousseff from the PT party, passed with overwhelming support—39 votes in favor and none against or abstained.
This legislation addresses a significant gap in Brazil's health policy, where previously no local regulations targeted the treatment and prevention of ludopathy. Rousseff emphasized the growing concern about online gambling, citing research indicating addiction rates up to four times higher than traditional physical gambling. The proposed policy aims to provide specialized mental health services through Belo Horizonte's Psychosocial Care Network, incorporating prevention, treatment, social reintegration efforts, educational campaigns, and training for public service professionals.
Highlighting the dramatic rise in gambling-related health issues, councilman Wagner Ferreira noted a staggering 2,300% increase in disability benefits tied to gambling addiction nationally, alongside a 300% spike in treatment cases reported by a local hospital. Rousseff stressed the urgency for the law given the increased prevalence of gambling addiction and its inadequately addressed impact.
As the law awaits a definitive vote without amendments, it is poised for rapid progression to the mayor's office, marking a pioneering move in municipal mental health policy prioritizing the care of gambling addicts in Belo Horizonte.