On Thursday, the government introduced new advertising regulations for betting operators, including warnings from the Ministry of Finance about the risks related to betting. While these measures are expected to be published soon in the Federal Official Gazette, the National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL) expressed its support for them and emphasized the need for strict adherence to the new policies.
However, the ANJL cautioned that these regulations must be paired with enhanced oversight and a crackdown on illegal advertising. These unauthorized platforms, which operate without federal government approval, do not pay taxes or comply with existing advertising standards. The ANJL pointed out that such entities typically fail to enforce anti-money laundering practices, prevent minors from accessing betting sites, or address compulsive gambling issues.
The association raised concerns about the dangers posed by illegal betting sites, which ignore regulatory frameworks and lack protections for players. It stated that these non-compliant platforms not only jeopardize player safety but also tarnish the image of the gambling sector. The ANJL called for stringent enforcement actions against any campaigns that violate regulations to protect the integrity of the industry.
In promoting a sustainable market, the ANJL believes a comprehensive set of regulations governing all operational aspects is essential. By backing the government's measures, the association sees progress toward this vision.
In its statement, the ANJL affirmed, "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 further emphasized, "However, the association stresses that the announced initiatives must be coupled with strengthened oversight and a crackdown on advertising by illegal platforms – entities that operate without federal government authorisation, do not pay taxes, fail to comply with advertising rules and neglect to implement mechanisms to prevent money laundering, underage access, and compulsive gambling.
“The ANJL holds the view that advertising campaigns that do not adhere to current regulations harm the sector's image and should be subject to appropriate measures by the competent authorities."
