More purchases, fewer bets? What the Brazilian experience reveals about the fight against gambling in Mozambique.

Ronélio Zandamela"

Following the measures adopted by the Brazilian President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, through Provisional Measure No. 1,394, which, according to the information under analysis, prohibits the operation, offering, intermediation, and advertising of fixed-odds betting in Brazilian territory, both in physical and virtual environments, it is important to reflect on the harm that so-called "bets" have caused to society.

The problem no longer affects only the individual who gambles. Like a tumor spreading through the body, the consequences of gambling have begun to affect the family unit, compromising the economic stability and well-being of many Brazilian families.

In certain situations, money intended for food purchases and other basic needs ends up being consumed by gambling. The result is debt, family instability, and other harms associated with compulsive gambling behavior. In this context, the Brazilian Ministry of Health itself has expressed concern about the health dimension of the phenomenon, which goes beyond the economic sphere and takes on public health dimensions.

Approximately 30 days after the measure was adopted, the Brazilian Association of Supermarkets (ABRAS) sought to assess the evolution of food consumption and identified an increase in purchases of basic products, especially rice, oil, pasta, and coffee, following the ban on online sports betting, according to the data considered here.

The study compared the weeks of October 5-11 and October 12-18, 2026, with the corresponding periods in 2025, indicating growth of 6.5% and 6.3%, respectively. According to the information released, the increase was observed in supermarkets, wholesale establishments with retail sales, grocery stores, and other food retail formats.

Without wanting to jump to conclusions, one question arises: is this increase in food consumption a direct consequence of the measure adopted by the Brazilian government?

Whether it's a coincidence or a result of public intervention, only time and a more in-depth analysis will help to clarify. However, the temporal relationship between the measure and the increase in food purchases raises a pertinent question. If, previously, part of the family's money was absorbed by gambling, is it possible that a portion is now being channeled towards satisfying essential needs?

This is a hypothesis that deserves attention. However, the increased demand for food products, by itself, does not prove the effectiveness of the measure, as other economic and commercial factors may have influenced the results. Even so, the data presented raise questions about the extent to which regulating betting can contribute to protecting family income.

Brazilian society is, metaphorically, undergoing a detoxification process. Just as with a person trying to overcome an addiction, stopping the behavior doesn't mean the battle is definitively won. Temptations, relapses, and attempts to return to previous habits may arise.

The difference lies, in part, in the motivation to change. When the decision to abandon harmful behavior is accompanied by awareness, support, and determination, it can increase the chances of overcoming addiction. In the case of gambling, however, individual willpower is not always enough, especially when there are commercial mechanisms designed to encourage continued gambling.

The 6.5% increase in food purchases in one week, followed by 6.3% the following week, deserves close attention, but does not allow us to conclude that the problem is solved. The 0.2 percentage point reduction between the two values ​​does not, in itself, represent a sign of failure, just as the recorded increases do not constitute definitive proof of the measure's success. Combating problematic betting requires continuous monitoring, evaluation of results, and complementary prevention and support measures.

And Mozambique, what lessons can it learn from this experience?

We don't need to copy President Lula da Silva's measure in its entirety. The economic, social, and regulatory realities of the two countries are different. However, this should not serve as justification for inaction. It is urgent to reflect and act before the damage becomes even more difficult to deal with.

If Brazilian data points to a possible change in consumption habits after an intervention on gambling, Mozambique should seek to understand the dimension of the phenomenon in its own context. It is important to assess how much money families allocate to gambling, what the consequences are for the household budget, and what mechanisms exist to prevent indebtedness and compulsive behaviors.

The State has an unavoidable responsibility in protecting citizens. Regulating the sector, monitoring operators, preventing problematic gambling, and promoting awareness campaigns must be part of a serious approach. This does not necessarily mean prohibiting all betting, but rather evaluating, based on evidence, which measures are most appropriate to protect families and reduce social harm.

Educational institutions, community organizations, and families also have an important role to play in financial education and raising awareness of the risks associated with gambling. In turn, each citizen should consciously analyze their way of life, questioning whether the money spent on gambling is compromising food, children's education, rent payments, or other fundamental needs.

Individual freedom should not be confused with indifference to the social consequences of certain behaviors. When gambling ceases to be mere entertainment and begins to compromise family livelihood, the problem no longer belongs solely to the gambler and requires a collective response.

The Brazilian example, regardless of the conclusions that future evaluations may confirm, presents us with an essential question: what is the point of increasing the possibilities of earning money if, in the end, the citizen loses the resources they need to live?

A family's table should take priority over any promise of quick enrichment. Mozambique doesn't need to wait for the problem to reach more serious proportions before it starts acting. It needs information, awareness, responsible regulation, and measures tailored to its reality.

Because, in the end, the real gain lies not in the amount wagered nor in the promise of a prize, but in the ability to ensure that family income fulfills its most basic purpose: to sustain a dignified life.

2025/12/3