Representing the Ministry of Finance, Leticia Soeiro noted that the bill, authored by Congressman Ricardo Ayres, could reduce the risk of fraud related to match-fixing but might also decrease interest in the legal market, regulated by Law 14,790/23.
“This is an issue we need to examine with great caution. As regulators, what we do is reduce risk by requiring companies to have prevention policies against manipulation and to demonstrate ties with an independent sports integrity monitoring body,” said Leticia Soeiro, Responsible Gaming Coordinator at the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA).
Gabriel Lima, Executive Director of Liga Forte União do Futebol Brasileiro, cited studies in Belgium and the United Kingdom showing that strict restrictions drive bettors toward the illegal market. He also expressed concern about sponsorship contracts, reminding that almost 100% of Serie A and B clubs are financially dependent on betting companies.
Rafael Marcondes, President of the Association of Bets and Fantasy Sport (ABFS), stated that 90% of match-fixing cases are linked to the main betting market (final game results), while the secondary market (corners and cards) accounts for only 13%. He stressed that manipulation is a global issue and cannot be fought solely with local measures. “Even if Brazil bans these types of bets, they will continue to occur on international websites.”
Tiago Barbosa, from Genius Sports, pointed out that between 70% and 80% of betting in Brazil takes place on illegal markets. According to him, restrictions on the regulated market would affect only 20% to 30% of the total.
Giovanni Rocco Neto, National Secretary of the Ministry of Sports, stated that enforcement must focus on illegal operators. “The betting issue isn’t solved by flipping a switch. The only way forward is technology—to block and trace the money of illegal operators—alongside police action, because criminals are dealt with by the police.”
Gambling addiction
The hearing also discussed advertising, sponsorship, and the impacts of gambling addiction. Congressman Caio Vianna, who suggested the debate, questioned the Ministry of Health about the low number of treatments provided to people with digital betting addiction.
Marcelo Dias, Director of the Department of Mental Health, Alcohol, and Other Drugs, explained that most addicts do not seek health services and that many only come forward due to family or professional insistence. He said the ministry’s focus is to integrate the issue into mental health policies, especially within primary care, without treating it as an individual weakness.
Caio Vianna further argued that companies should adopt more responsible advertising. “Betting operators must take on the responsibility of educating the Brazilian population. And nothing is better than educating through advertising itself, showing that they are not only focused on maximizing profits.”
Source: Agência Câmara de Notícias
