Pressure is mounting on Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies to quickly pass a sports betting bill in time to launch the market this year. September is considered the crucial month to pass provisional measure No-1182, which would create the federal marketplace, SBC News reported August 31.
However, key elements remain to be worked out, including amendments that would impose stricter ad and marketing restrictions. Brazil’s Congress is conducting a 120-day preview of the measure and individual legislators are proposing amendments. However, influential lawmakers are trying to shorten that to 45 days. So far, 200 amendments have been proposed. Most of these relate to the proposed tax framework.
They include an 18 percent tax on gross income of licensed operators and a 30 percent tax on player winnings over $470.66.
The measure creates a structure for the government’s policies on taxes and licensing and the creation of a Special Secretariat to supervise licensed operators, and determine what kinds of wagers are allowed—plus how many operators are allowed to operate.
Deputy Ricardo Ayres has sponsored Bill 3915/2023, which contains provisions supported by President Lula da Silva that would require the government to put a “ban on the promotion and advertising of betting companies and casinos by digital influencers and artists.” Ayres explained in a Twitter (X) post that the bill, “doesn’t prohibit betting but restricts its advertising, mirroring federal cigarette advertising restrictions imposed in 2020.”
Penalties would include “progressive fines based on prior year’s revenue, asset reversals, and business suspensions for up to eight years.” Media owners would also be required to assist the regulators in tracking and removing illegal content.
The National Council for Advertising Self-Regulation (CONAR) is expected to weigh in on the proposals and submit some of its own.
Meanwhile, Arthur Lira, president of the Chamber of Deputies called for all of the reforms and proposals to be combined into a single bill, a “formal text” that would be presented for a vote by September 9. Lira, considered one of the most influential members of the legislature, said the vote carries “constitutional urgency” as he works to clear the chamber of bills as the final months of the year wind down. This is seen by many as Lira’s way to force the government to reveal its preferences without delay, and shorten the review period to 45 days, instead of 120, SBC News reported.
Although there have been proposed amendments, the final framework of the government-endorsed bill has not yet been released to the public.
