On Thursday, the government revealed new advertising regulations for betting operators, which include warnings from the Ministry of Finance about the associated risks of betting. These new measures are pending publication in the Federal Official Gazette.
The National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL) expressed its support for the advertising rules and emphasized the importance of strict adherence to the regulations. However, the association requested that these new initiatives be paired with enhanced oversight and stringent actions against illegal platforms. Such platforms operate without federal government authorization, evade taxes, and violate advertising guidelines.
The ANJL stressed that these illegal platforms do not implement necessary anti-money laundering measures and do little to prevent minors from accessing betting websites or to combat compulsive gambling issues.
According to the association, illegal sites pose significant harm by flouting regulations and providing no player protection. The ANJL pointed out that regulatory violations from these entities tarnish the industry's reputation, calling for rigorous enforcement against them.
The association believes that a sustainable betting market can only thrive under clear regulations that govern all operational aspects. By backing the Ministry of Finance's measures, the ANJL views this as progress towards that aim.
In a statement, the ANJL articulated its position: "The National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL) supports the Ministry of Finance’s new advertising rules and advocates for strict compliance with the regulations, without compromising the operations of companies that function legally and are subject to oversight by the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets."
It continued: "However, the association emphasizes that the announced initiatives must be accompanied by strengthened oversight and a crackdown on advertising by illegal platforms – entities that operate without federal government authorization, do not pay taxes, fail to comply with advertising rules, and neglect to implement mechanisms to prevent money laundering, underage access, and compulsive gambling."
Furthermore, the ANJL stated, "The association holds the view that advertising campaigns that do not comply with current regulations harm the sector’s image and should be subject to appropriate measures by the competent authorities."
