SBC Americasreviewed Latin America’s most important news, this time starting in February 2023. Brazil was once again the dominant country, thanks to a match-fixing scandal which is helping the country obtain regulations. A legislative debate has put Chile in the spotlight, while Enjoy launched an online platform for Brazilian casino players.
Brazil: Fraud
The Public Ministry for the state of Goias received alerts from at most three high-profile soccer matches. Investigators began an investigation into a criminal organization that was involved in match-fixing and sports betting. Players were allegedly paid around $30,000 per bet. This case is most important, but it was not the only one being investigated in Brazil in February. Therefore, authorities increased the discussion around regulations to combat match-fixing.
Chile’s regulator warns media against gambling advertising
The Superintendence of Gambling Casinos filed an official complaint against Canal13, CHV and TVN for including sports betting ads. The lawyer Carlos Baeza represented the online casino operators and sports betting operators. He argued that they are not operating in violation of the guidelines as there is no ban on the sector in Chile.
Enjoy lands in Brazil
Chilean casino operator enjoy made a significant step in its regional strategy when it reached Brazil online with its EnjoyWin offering. is an online casino and betting platform that was launched at the end February. It offers a wider range of services, including live casino, betting and table games. The site can also be accessed via desktop and mobile. Enjoy employed 15 people who spoke at least three languages to launch the platform. They were based in Montevideo and Uruguay.
LotoMinas is now the official igaming website of Minas Gerais
Official lottery of the second largest state in Brazil, Minas Gerais confirmed the launch LotoMinas. This could be the first state-run online casino or sports betting platform in Brazil. It is the “first official licensed platform in Brazil” to offer instant games, betting on sports, and the traditional Keno minas game. NeoGames signed a deal to partner with LotoMina’s provider Intralot. This agreement will allow NeoGames to continue the legacy success of Minas Gerais’ digital keno and retail lottery.
Brazil takes up the debate on sports betting regulation
The Brazilian President Luiz Ignaco Lula da Silva could sign the sports betting regulations within the next few weeks. Already, the Presidency is in discussions with Congress about which modalities will be included in the final cut. The bill, which has been delayed since 2018, could finally gain enough support from lawmakers. Although it was not approved in January or Februar, it gained momentum in March and there is a good chance it will become official soon.
Enjoy and Dreams remain focused on a merger
In the event of the merger, the National Economic Prosecutor’s Office asked operators of casino Enjoy and dreams to provide information on a buyer for Rinconada. The brands would be able to operate 58% of Chile’s market. They presented a report through Asset Chile that listed potential companies interested in purchasing the casino.
Coljuegos introduces RG policy
The Colombian regulator Coljuegos has launched a new initiative to promote responsible gambling. This will help players to educate themselves and to prevent them from gambling excessively. Over the past five years, the authority has been developing a strategy and highlighted the fact that it includes operators’ commitments and will include integrity measures and space for interaction with players.
