At a hearing held by the Permanent Subcommittee on Sports Betting Regulation, government officials and representatives of the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting highlighted that the measure could help reduce match-fixing, one of the main problems associated with the growth of ‘Bets’ in Brazil.
Letícia Soeiro, Head of Responsible Gaming at the SPA, stated that banning bets on specific plays is one of the most effective ways to preserve the sector’s credibility and provide legal certainty to companies and bettors.
“Match manipulation is a real risk when we talk about betting on very specific plays. Limiting this type of wager can help protect not only consumers but also the regulated market,” Soeiro assessed.
Bill 2,842/2023, authored by Ricardo Ayres, aligns with the Ministry of Finance’s concerns by creating mechanisms to curb market distortions and weaken potential match-fixing schemes. The congressman advocates limiting sports betting to overall results, such as the match winner or final score, leaving out micro-events that increase the risk of fraud.
“By focusing betting on goals and overall match results, we will provide a safer entertainment option, less vulnerable to undue external interference,” stated Congressman Ricardo Ayres.
Bill progress
The proposal is subject to conclusive approval by committees. It is currently awaiting the rapporteur’s opinion in the Sports Commission (CESPO). It will then move on to the Finance and Taxation Committee and the Constitution, Justice and Citizenship Committee.
Despite government support, representatives of the betting industry warn of the risk that bettors could migrate to the illegal market if the proposal is approved without complementary rules.
Ayres, however, stresses that “it is Congress’s duty to build balanced legislation that preserves sporting integrity and does not fuel fraudulent schemes.”
Source: GMB
