Baigorri highlighted Anatel's role in blocking irregular platforms and advocated for the strengthening of legal tools. The statement reinforces the potential for the industry to mature, already supported by a law enacted in 2023.
"The governance model for regulating the 'Bets' business is still very close and not very institutionalized. You think that the electricity and telecommunications sectors have an agency, civil servants with a career, a collegiate body, a regulatory impact process, and public consultation. The 'Bets' sector does not. [The sector] has a secretariat in the Ministry of Finance that decides in a monocratic manner, by ordinance," said Baigorri at the international seminar of the OAB (Brazilian Bar Association) in Madrid.
He states that, due to the lack of regularization, determinations on the subject are published in ordinances that point out irregularities at the touch of a button. When illegalities are detected, it is up to Anatel to act.
“When the Secretariat of Prize and Betting identifies illegal betting operators, they notify us (Anatel) and we take them [illegal betting operators] offline,” explained Baigorri.
In an interview with Folha in November of last year, Baigorri stated that the country needs more powerful legal tools to act against 'Bets'.
“As things stand today, we are mopping up ice, and the blockade we have in place is very ineffective. They put a hot potato in my lap, and I am telling you: this [low effectiveness] is going to be bad for the entire government,” he said at the time.
The 'Bets' Law was published in the Official Gazette of the Union on December 30, 2023. The text sanctioned by President Lula establishes criteria for taxation, in addition to rules for the operation of the service. The text defines the distribution of the revenue collected and sets assessments for betting operators that operate irregularly.
The legislation assigns the Ministry of Finance to regulate the market, and it is up to the Ministry of Finance to authorize, monitor and oversee the activity, dealing with betting, physical sporting events, as well as online games and events.
The Ministry of Finance is also responsible for deciding whether or not to authorize certain activities based on specific criteria. This includes creating policies and procedures to serve bettors, prevent money laundering and financing of terrorism, as well as preventing the financing of arms, corruption and other crimes.
Source: Folha
