The influence of the Catholic tradition on attitudes towards gambling (Brazil)

1) Why Catholic tradition is important in Brazil

Even with the decline in the share of Catholics, Catholicism remains the largest denomination in the country and continues to influence the norms and language of public discussion. According to Censo-2022, Catholics - 56.7% of the population (against 65.1% in 2010), evangelical Protestants rose to 26.9%, and "without religion" - to 9.3%; the trend is confirmed by IBGE reports and the international press.

2) What the Catechism says: "the game is permissible, but..."

The official teaching of the Church does not declare excitement in itself a sin, but warns of boundaries: "games of chance and betting do not contradict justice in themselves; they become morally unacceptable when they deprive a person of the necessary or turn into dependence" (Catechism, § 2413).

Conclusion for politics: the Catholic perspective does not require an absolute taboo, but insists on protecting the common good: transparency, avoiding harm to the vulnerable and combating addiction are basic conditions for admissibility.

3) Historical fork: why casinos were banned in 1946

The foundation of today's offline casino status is laid by Decree-Law No. 9. 215 dated April 30, 1946. The preamble of the document explicitly states that "the moral, legal and religious tradition of the Brazilian people is contrary to the practice and exploitation of gambling," after which casinos and "chance games" are banned everywhere. The norm is still valid, without direct cancellation.

Cultural effect: the decision consolidated the moral and religious narrative around excitement - the "gloss" of the pre-war era remained in culture, but the public legitimacy of land casinos was reset for decades.

4) Modern Episcopate Position (CNBB)

The Brazilian Conference of Catholic Bishops has consistently opposed the legalization of casinos/bingo/" jogo do bicho." In December 2024, CNBB issued an official note calling on authorities to "confront gambling in any form" in the name of family and the common good; similar statements come out every time the topic returns to the Senate subpoena.

Political Context 2025: PL 2234/2022 (comprehensive casino/bingo/online legalization) is debated in the upper house, but votes have broken down; church structures are actively involved in public discussion around the bill.

5) Pope Francis on online art betting

In 2024-2025, Pope Francis separately warned of the danger of normalizing online betting, calling it a factor in the "pathological game," especially among young people, and criticizing the industry for sponsoring sports. These assessments are broadcast by Catholic media and reinforce the moral weight of church criticism.

6) How the Catholic framework translates into policy and regulation

1946 normative memory. The very fact that the casino ban is still formally in effect is a direct legacy of the "moral and religious" argument from the preamble of the Decree-Law.

Caution to offline model. Even against the background of the regulation of online betting and RNG games (a separate frame from 2023), the discussion on casino/bingo is much more valuable - and the church voice in it is heard more (but this is already a field of politics and economics).

Public opinion. According to DataSenado (spring 2025), most respondents support the regulation of gambling, but the battle is around details: age, advertising, offline objects. For Catholic audiences, the arguments of "family advocacy" and "addiction" carry special weight.

7) Why even when the share of Catholics falls, their influence is great

Catholicism is still the country's largest denomination and the "language" of moral argument with the general public. At the same time, the religious landscape has become more pluralistic (the growth of evangelical denominations, "without religion"). Bottom line - a value coalition of conservative actors (some Catholics, evangelical churches, family associations) forms a restraining circuit around the legalization of offline and advertising.

8) What it means for media, brands and regulators

For lawmakers.

Consider "ethical sensitivity": any reforms (for example, the launch of casino resorts) will face arguments about the dangers of addiction, family and the poor - they are rooted in Catholic social doctrine.

Draw the line that the Catechism allows: not to prohibit everything, but to build tough protection for the weak (age, advertising, self-exclusion, prohibitions for the vulnerable), transparency and deductions for the prevention of addiction.

For the industry.

Advertising: avoid romanticizing "easy money," do not use children's images/sports in conjunction with excitement; this tone resonates with religiously motivated criticism and reduces reputational risks.

Responsible play: emphasizing tools of self-restraint and support, not hiding risks - this is in the logic of the "common good."

For editions.

Correctly breed the "casino history" as a cultural phenomenon and modern religious and social optics. The historical gloss of the 1930s does not negate the Church's moral objections today.

9) Short FAQ

Does the teaching of the Church prohibit any game?

No, it isn't. The catechism (§ 2413) allows games and bets in moderation; sin - where there is damage to basic needs, deception or dependence.

Why is Brazil still without offline casinos?

The 1946 ban is legally valid, motivated, among other things, by "religious tradition"; attempts to remove it go through new laws (e.g. PL 2234/2022).

Why is the Pope against online betting?

Due to the normalization of behavior with a high risk of addiction, especially among young people, and due to the toxic betting-sport link.

10) The bottom line

The Catholic tradition in Brazil is not identical to the absolute prohibition of games, but it outlines moral boundaries: the protection of the family, the prevention of dependence, honesty and the priority of the common good. It was from this framework that the historic 1946 casino ban grew with an appeal to "moral and religious tradition," and modern statements by the CNBB and Pope Francis support a cautious - and at times sharply critical - tone towards the legalization of offline and mass market online betting. As long as Catholicism remains the country's largest denomination, its language and values ​ ​ will noticeably shape politics, advertising and public opinion around excitement - even in the era of digital regulation.

Relevance: October 11, 2025 (Europe/Kyiv).