MPTCU Demands Transparency in Brazilian Betting Companies

The Public Prosecutor's Office at the Federal Court of Accounts (MPTCU) has called for the TCU to openly reveal the authorization processes for Brazilian betting companies. Deputy Prosecutor Lucas Rocha Furtado raised concerns over the partial secrecy surrounding the licensing data. Recently, Finance Minister Dario Durigan announced plans to release information from these processes while redacting the names of the partners involved, citing compliance with data protection laws to safeguard sensitive information. Furtado contends that such redactions lack constitutional and legal backing according to the Access to Information Law (LAI). He emphasized that this practice undermines the principles of transparency and ethics, particularly in a sector that requires vigilant social and institutional oversight. In his representation, Furtado pointed out that there is no legal justification that supports keeping the identities of partners and ultimate beneficiaries confidential, arguing that this information is crucial for effective regulatory oversight. He asserts that the Constitution does not support widespread secrecy meant to benefit private interests among regulated entities. 'Secrecy is the exception and must be interpreted restrictively, always with an express legal basis and in a duly justified manner,' he stated. The deputy attorney general also noted that the LAI ensures public officials can be held accountable for imposing unwarranted secrecy or for failing to provide information when legally obligated. Furtado has urged the TCU to instruct the Treasury to guarantee complete transparency, ceasing any general secrecy and redaction practices. He also called for an audit of the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA) to investigate any actions, ordinances, or guidelines related to the disclosure of licensing processes with redacted information. As an interim measure, he requested that both the Treasury and SPA be barred from redacting names.