Soon, the Brazilian Congress will discuss the provisional measures (MP) which will regulate both the land-based sports betting market and the online markets. Once the Ministry of Finance, Justice and Sports has reviewed the proposal, the approval will be granted.
In a discussion with SBC Noticias Brasil Jose Francisco Manssur Special Advisor to Executive Secretary of Brazil’s Ministry of Finance, discussed what topics are covered in the MP, and the next steps for a regulated sector in the country.
Manssur explains that Law 13,756/2018 legalized fixed odds betting in Brazil. The country initially had two years to set up the industry. This period could be extended by another two years. The former President Jairbolsonaro could have signed the bill at the end December 2022, but he chose not to for religious and political reasons.
Manssur explained that Brazil’s four-year approval period was not enough. “The government had to fill this gap in just a couple of months,” he said.
The MP regulates industry through various ordinances. This document contains general information on taxes, penalties, and other operational details. The Government can edit the ordinances while the Congress is analyzing the MP.
Manssur stated that “all these issues must be resolved with a temporary measure, as per the law.”
Several associations have revealed that the UK regulatory framework is followed. Premier League approved a ban on sportsbook sponsors appearing in the front of shirts. Manssur, however, said that Brazil is not interested in banning advertisements, as it recognizes the importance sponsorship deals between teams of different sports.
He said, “Our goal is not to damage the teams or drive sponsors away.”
Recent opposition by the Evangelical Parliamentary Front (FPE) as well as the Parliamentary Front for a Brazil without Gambling have also emphasized the importance of looking into problem gambling. Manssur stated that advertising is important because it helps to reach bettors. The idea is to create rules that will prevent a “wild betting environment” as it is currently.
He also clarified that the Economic Team in charge of sports betting regulations had reached out to the National Council for Advertising Self-Regulation to “find out what the advertising industry and entities that deal with problem gambling or addiction can do for regulated, aware and responsible activities.”
The MP also speaks out against match-fixing, money laundering and other criminal activities. The development of comprehensive rules is being done in collaboration between various entities, such as the Ministries of Justice, Sports and Finance, Central Bank, Police authorities, Sports Administration Entities, Brazilian Olympic Committee, Brazilian Football Confederation, clubs, and Brazilian Bar Association.
“In terms of manipulating, the government wants to see joint efforts made so that we can end up with the best methods on a global scale,” Manssur said.
You can find the full interview in Portuguese here .
