Regulators Defend Betting Laws at Supreme Court Hearing in Brazil
A number of key members of Brazil’s betting industry have defended the sector at a Federal Supreme Court (STF) hearing intended to explore the impacts of gambling in the country.
The two-day hearing was called following a request from the National Confederation of Trade in Goods, Services and Tourism (CNC) to declare Brazil’s betting laws No 14,790/2023 and 13,756/2018 unconstitutional.
At the hearing Regis Dudena, leader of federal betting regulator Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA), highlighted the importance of regulation and warned the declaration of the betting laws as unconstitutional could end up empowering the black market in Brazil.
Hazenclever Lopes Cançado, president of the state regulator Rio de Janeiro State Lottery (Loterj), reaffirmed his support for regulation in Brazil, claiming the betting laws are “relevant and indispensable” for Brazil to achieve its aims of national development and the eradication of poverty.
Brazil Bans Betting on Social Welfare Pending Final Authorization
Minister Luis Fux has placed a ban on the use of social welfare for betting, as well as ads that have minors as a target audience.
Fux made the decisions following the conclusion of the STF hearing, with the bans effective immediately amid backlash against betting in Brazil. In September, a study by Brazil’s Central Bank revealed that 20 percent of the funds provided through the Bolsa Familia welfare program in August were spent on online gambling.
Fux’s request for STF President Luis Roberto Barroso to call an extraordinary virtual session of the plenary to decide whether to make the measures permanent was granted, with the hearing set for Nov. 14.
However, an explosion in front of the STF on Nov. 13 in which one man was killed led to the session being postponed.
Colombian Army Helps to Dismantle Criminal Group Tied to Illegal Gambling
The Colombian army has brought down a criminal organization involved in illegal gambling after collaborating with the Attorney General’s Office.
The joint operation has broken up the Apolo group, which was accused of earning nearly COP10 billion ($2.3 million) annually from illegal raffles, bonds, and games of chance.
The operation conducted 17 raids and arrested 18 people, who will now face charges of crimes including aggravated criminal conspiracy and illicit enrichment.
The raids resulted in the seizure of around COP250 million in cash, along with weapons, numerous fake IDs and illegal gambling materials like unlicensed raffle tickets.
Brazil Establishes Betting Parliamentary Commission to Tackle Gambling Fears
On Nov. 12, Brazil installed a parliamentary inquiry commission (CPI) to address growing concerns over betting in the country.
With the legal market launching on Jan. 1, 2025, the CPI will explore the “growing influence of online virtual gambling games on [Brazilian families’ financial spending]”.
The CPI will have 11 members and seven substitutes, as well as 130 days to conduct its work. Sen. Soraya Thronicke will be its rapporteur with Sen. Dr. Hiran Gonçalves to be the chair, while Sen. Alessandro Vieira will serve as vice-chair.
Dr Gonçalves said: “I am certain that the members of this commission are fully mobilized and qualified to present excellent work to the country.”
Argentina Nears Approval of Bill to Modify Online Gambling Regulations
Argentina has moved closer to changing its online betting regulations after a meeting between various committees on Nov. 13.
As reported by SBC Noticias, committees such as Addiction Prevention and Drug Trafficking Control and Families, Children and Youth approved two opinions, meaning the proposal can now progress.
The movement is bringing together multiple initiatives, including one from Deputy Maximiliano Ferraro that would ban “all advertising or promotion of games of chance”, including advertising on sports jerseys.
In the meeting, Ferraro said: “Clear limits must be set to the gambling epidemic.”
