Fabio Macorin, the deputy secretary of Brazil's Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA), has been elected to serve on the board of trustees of the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR).
Macorin brings a wealth of experience in law enforcement and financial crime prevention, alongside significant regulatory expertise vital to Brazil's emerging betting market. As part of his role at the SPA, he leads the implementation, supervision, and enforcement of the country’s regulatory framework governing betting activities.
Since his appointment to the Ministry of Finance in 2024, Macorin has diligently focused on establishing a regulatory structure for Brazil's betting industry, emphasizing the monitoring of licensed operators and counteracting illegal operations. His efforts include enhancing mechanisms to prevent money laundering and financing of terrorism while coordinating enforcement strategies with various government agencies and industry stakeholders.
IAGR President Ben Haden remarked, "Fabio’s appointment brings an important South American perspective to the IAGR board of trustees at a time when regulators worldwide are facing similar transnational challenges. Brazil has undergone an ambitious regulatory transformation in an extraordinarily short period, and his experience at the heart of this process will provide valuable insights to the regulators within our global community."
Before his tenure with the Ministry of Finance, Macorin had a notable 17-year career with Brazil's Federal Police, where he specifically targeted banking and financial fraud for a decade. This background has significantly influenced his approach toward regulations in the betting sector, primarily concerning anti-money laundering and inter-agency collaboration.
Brazil's regulated betting market officially launched in 2025 and is recognized as one of the most scrutinized regulatory initiatives in the global gaming sector. Macorin, who previously served as the SPA's undersecretary for monitoring and enforcement, has played a key role in initiatives aimed at combating illicit operations, fortifying partnerships with financial institutions and telecommunications providers, and developing data-driven regulatory tools.
Upon his election, Macorin expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to contribute Brazil's regulatory experience to the IAGR’s international efforts. "Brazil learned a great deal from the experience of regulators worldwide while developing our own regulatory framework, and I view the IAGR as one of the most important forums for this exchange of knowledge," he noted. "Although each jurisdiction has its own legal system, market characteristics, and regulatory priorities, many of the challenges we face are increasingly global. Combatting the illegal market, preventing money laundering, protecting consumers, and ensuring betting integrity require ever-greater cooperation among regulators from different countries."
Macorin is scheduled to attend the IAGR Annual Conference in Peru from October 19 to 22, where regulatory officials and industry professionals will engage in discussions regarding emerging challenges and opportunities in gaming and betting regulation.
IAGR Vice President Brian Krolicki acknowledged Macorin’s commitment: "IAGR is extremely grateful for Fabio Macorin's willingness to dedicate his extensive talents to representing South America at a pivotal time for gaming regulation across the region. He brings a powerful combination of expertise in law enforcement, financial crime prevention, and regulation to IAGR. His 17 years with the federal police and his leadership in building Brazil's new regulated betting market give him a unique perspective on combating the illegal market, strengthening AML controls, and advancing regulatory cooperation. He is an ideal addition to the IAGR board of trustees and will be a tremendous asset to our global community."
The upcoming IAGR Conference will explore the theme "Steady Hands, Changing Ground: Advancing Regulation in a Connected World" as participants discuss enhancing regulatory oversight amidst the rapidly changing landscape of technology and market dynamics.
