The public hearing proposed by Congressman Evandro Roman to discuss with representatives of companies the regulation of the online betting sector in Brazil will be on Wednesday, May 22 at 14:30 in Annex II of the Congress, in Brasilia. In defense of the request, the parliamentarian recalled the lack of resources for the sport and that the country lives a pact of mediocrity where it pretends that gaming does not exist and that the only injured is Brazil itself. The list of invited speakers already includes 19 specialists (there are several who still have to confirm their presence) but it is speculated that the number could grow this week.
Madureira, a lawyer whose professional career has led him in recent years to devote himself exclusively to this powerful industry, was guest speaker at the VI Macau Annual Gaming Review organized by the University of Macau (2015), the Seminar on Law of Gaming and Regulation organized by Hong Kong Law Society (2016) and the 2nd Brazilian Congress of Games, in Brasilia (2016). He is a member of the Counseling Board of the Japan Gaming Congress and has published the titles "Law of the Game in Macau - Evolution, History and Legislation", "Corporate Social Responsibility in Macau Gaming Industry" and "Legal Agenda 2017" by Rui Cunha Editora Foundation.
GMB - What is the feeling of being called by the Brazilian Congress to expose your knowledge? Why did you agree to participate?
Oscar Alberto Madureira: It is an honor for me as a professional connected to the gaming sector, to be invited by the Chamber of Deputies. I accepted to participate because I have been watching, for several years, the effort that has been made, by civil society and Brazilian public entities, in order to legalize an activity and an industry that, despite its presence in the daily lives of citizens, remain illegal, to the detriment of all concerned, citizens in general and state that could profit and much with tax revenues generated by the industry.
What do you think you and your firm can contribute with at this moment?
From a personal point of view, I have been a lawyer in Macau since January 2007 and have been for almost six years in house counsel of a multinational gaming operator (operating in Macao, Philippines, Russia and more recently in Cyprus). In addition, I have an office with more than 30 years of experience advising various industry representatives, from operators to suppliers of goods and services as well as regulators. I am also a lawyer in Portugal where the industry, especially in the online market, is experiencing interesting times that deserve to be considered. I believe that my experience in several important markets globally can serve to help the entities that are looking for us to try to better understand the sui generis characteristics of the industry.
Do you consider this audience as a positive move? Is it a step forward or just another one of many that we have had in Brazil?
Of course, the initiative is very important. It reveals, above all, the social and political responsibility of the representatives of the Brazilian people. The issue of (illegal) gambling in Brazil is a matter that has to be dealt with in a serious and objective manner and a public hearing with these characteristics is one of the ways this is done. The legislators have to discuss the matter in an uncomplicated and unobtrusive way because what matters is to solve a problem that exists, and this is only fought through regulation.
In your view, with this audience and the new government, do you believe that the legalization of the activity is closer than ever?
In my opinion I think that Brazil has already reached a point of "no return" as the dynamics in favor of legalization already exists in civil society. As for the political class, I think that the responsible politicians have already realized that the way to solve the problem goes through the regulation of the industry and that the sector cannot continue in hiding. There is however to be careful with the steps that are given in the direction of regulation. It is necessary to study the various international realities and adapt them to the socio-economic reality of Brazil, which is obviously not comparable to that existing in other countries. From this point of view, the Brazilian legislature has everything in its favor, it can study the best examples and adapt them to the country and its citizens. I think that the moment we live in is unique and I am honored to be able to contribute to a new reality.
Source: Exclusive GMB
