Sports betting moves about US$1.3 billion per year in Brazil

A fever in Brazil, sports betting moves about US$ 1.3 billion per year in the country, according to experts. Cash, credit or debit card, bank transfer and even electronic money. You choose. In this world, the great product is exactly who bets, immersed in the almost 500 foreign websites, of which about 10% are translated into Portuguese. They operate freely in Brazil because they have servers hosted in other countries, not being submitted to the national Constitution.

In Recife, bets arouse not only the curiosity, but also the passion of the fans. Joining fanaticism with the chance of earning extra money fills the eyes of many, but thry can also empty their pockets. This is the case of Luiz Carlos, professional football player, at the moment without a club, who has already lost at least US$ 190 per week with his guesses. He warns: anyone who says that earns more than he loses is lying.

Available through the Internet and with points of sale spread both in the center of the cities and remote neighborhoods, it is not difficult to find a place to place a bet. Luiz lives in Alto do Pascoal, North Zone of Recife, says that about 90% of his closest friends play and make it a quick way to pay off debts, since prizes are paid in 24 or 48 hours. "The people do the following: 'I have an account to pay tomorrow and I do not have that amount'. They go to a betting point and play, but I have my limit.”

A betting point employee in Alto do Pascoal, Alef Paulo says that on football days the movement is more intense, generating around US$ 255 in bets per day. "There has already been an award of US$ 2.600, US$ 5,200 here and everyone has been paid. Maybe with a longer term, but they receive their prizes," he says.

Legislation

Preferred among Brazilians, the football posters can be seen in the betting points through the streets of the city. With so many gamblers giving hints about the sport, the fear of manipulating the results falls on the main competitions.

According to the professor of the Getúlio Vargas Foundation (FGV), Pedro Trengrouse, this is a worldwide concern. The International Federation of Professional Football Players (FIFPro) warns that 35% of players in Kazakhstan, 30% in Greece, 15% in Bulgaria, 10% from Russia, 10% from the Czech Republic, 8% from Ukraine, 7% from Poland and 5% from Croatia were approached to manipulate the result of a game."

According to Trengrouse, the protection of sports is the main reason for regulating the practice in Brazil, which could bring a collection of US$ 415 million to the public coffers per year. "Protecting the integrity of the sport would already be reason enough to regulate and monitor sports betting, and protecting the people's economy by ensuring that bettors receive their winnings and the significant potential of tax collection complete a consistent tripod of reasons," he argues.

Underway in the Senate, a bill is aimed at banning operations on international betting sites to curb evasion. The text also defends the "legalization of the economic activity of gambling in a responsible manner".

Source: GMB / Vínícius Barros for Jornal do Commercio