Amid the discussions about the company-club and ways of financing sports, the president of the Chamber of Deputies, Rodrigo Maia, goes to Spain to learn about the country's football model. Maia will be accompanied by the president of the Paulista Football Federation, Reinaldo Carneiro Bastos, and will meet with the president of La Liga, Javier Tebas. Among the subjects on the agenda are broadcasting rights, sports betting and financial fair play.
It is already known that Brazil intends to establish an industry limited to 30 licensed companies, so restrictions on the Spanish market could serve as an example to reinforce this proposal. Although the legislation of Spain could have consequences in the emerging Brazilian market, both officials and operators seem to agree with the need to regulate the sector, especially in terms of advertising.
After the publication of the decree, the Spanish Association of Digital Game (JDigital) issued a statement in which they say they agree with several points of the project. However, they stressed that “although the ministry's proposal does not totally prohibit gambling advertising, the truth is that it limits it leaving very little space. Given this situation, we hope that, with the limited viable advertising windows, it will be sufficient for unwanted effects to be generated, such as the transfer of players to illegal and uncontrolled offer.”
The same effects would try to avoid Brazil, although an industry of 30 operators in such a huge market could be counterproductive. In a dialogue with SBCNews, Cristina Romero, partner of the Madrid-based firm Loyra Abogados, said: “It seems like a wrong approach to restrict 30 in a market like Brazil and, without a doubt, that will move to restrictions in the advertising since, in principle, only the operating companies that have the license will be able to advertise.”
In any case, it is important that a new market such as Brazil, which promises to be one of the most profitable globally, is based on successful models such as Spain. In this sense, Romero remarked that the new regulations in her country do not aim to limit, but to operate the industry sensibly. "We are working to give a vision more adjusted to the needs of the industry that maintain a balance with the necessary protection of vulnerable groups," he said.
For this reason, she considers it beneficial that “the Brazilian regulator seeks inputs based on the experience of other jurisdictions, is the best way to approach these issues.” According to the lawyer, the Brazilian regulation based on the Spanish must be balanced and sensible to promote responsible and sustainable gambling. “Sensible” means contemplating all the legislative aspects that achieve a balance between the benefits for the community, for companies and for the State.
One of the strategies to work on sports and betting integrity in both Brazil and Spain would focus on the ties between both industries, regulated by the State. The joint analysis between the two countries, which will be carried out at the meeting between Rodrigo Maia and Reinaldo Carneiro Bastos with the Spanish Javier Tebas, could lead to new opportunities for both markets both from the point of view of sport and betting.
Source: GMB / SBC Noticias
