Gazeta do Sul - Why is online gambling regulation so important?
Danrlei - Gambling in Brazil has not stopped because of the ban. Many people play. I see that if we have control over it, if we have exact numbers, it is much better. Even today, many people play unsafe in clandestine services. In the United States, for example, numbers are passed daily to a regulatory agency.
Will regulation come out in 2020?
We are working to make this happen as soon as possible. But it is important to say that, since the subcommittee is linked to the Sports Commission, my report at this point will take into consideration much more what this regulation can bring to the sport's benefit. And we already realize that it will: many websites from outside the country are sponsoring Brazilian clubs. But we need very clear and secure regulation, especially so that serious gambling sites come to work in Brazil. If they feel more legal certainty in other countries, they will not come here. And then the money from Brazilian gamblers, which is an important amount, will continue to go out, the government will not collect anything, and we will have no control over the gamblers.
Control over gamblers in what sense?
You have to know if people who like to bet are not over the edge and if it is not starting to become an addiction. But there is still a big discussion about what is the best form of regulation. The Caixa Econômica Federal has one idea, the Ministry of Economy has another, the big gambling sites have another, so we are listening to everyone and trying to come up with a format that will give serious websites legal certainty. At the same time, we need a regulatory agency that oversees, along with the government and Caixa Federal, so that people don't get addicted. And if they do, let them have the treatment. In countries where these companies operate, there is a control. They can see when the gambler is going the path of addiction and there communicate the governments. Of course, there is addiction and that everything that is too much is bad. That is why we are seeking the best possible regulation for the country.
Enforcement seems to be the most important point of the debate.
That is the big discussion. Enforcement is needed so that people do not fall into addiction and that the law is not circumvented. It has happened in other countries that people try to manipulate games to win bets. Therefore, it is necessary to supervise so that the player has security in what he is playing.
Is there still a lot of pressure against betting on conservative sectors like the evangelical bench?
This exists and will always exist, although the greatest pressure is on casinos and bingo, because these places take people out of churches. But when it comes to online gambling, the law already exists. The discussion about whether or not to authorize bets has passed. What we are dealing with now is about regulation.
Source: GMB/ Gazeta do Sul
