Maranhão enacts law prohibiting digital influencers from promoting online gambling and casinos

The bill was passed by the Maranhão State Legislative Assembly and was proposed by State Representative Dr. Yglésio. After the enactment of Law No. 12,099, the following regulations have been established:

• Prohibition of promoting games of chance provided by foreign platforms by both individuals and legal entities on the World Wide Web, as well as through other advertising channels such as billboards, TV commercials, bus ads, flyers, radio, and brochures in the state of Maranhão.
   
• Non-compliance will result in an administrative penalty, with fines ranging from R$10,000 (US$ 1,980) to R$1 million (US$ 198.000), depending on the content disseminated on the profile or page.
   
• The ban will be integrated into the promotion campaigns of the state's activities.
   
• The Executive Branch will regulate the law to ensure its enforcement and supervision.

About the Fortune Tiger

Fortune Tiger is an online slot machine-style casino game that promises cash prizes. However, like most games of chance, people often lose money on the platform. Being a casino, it is inherently considered illegal in Brazil.

Furthermore, according to the police, the Fortune Tiger system is hosted outside the country and has no registration or representatives in Brazil.

In Brazil, the locally called 'Jogo do Tigrinho' gained fame primarily due to an extensive campaign involving many digital influencers and players who shared their “strategies.”
 

Chamber also discusses betting regulation

The Brazilian Chamber of Deputies in Brasília approved a project on September 13th that regulates the sports betting and online betting market, including virtual casinos.

The text now moves to the Senate for further consideration. This proposal is one of the Ministry of Finance's initiatives to increase revenue and establishes taxation on prizes, betting establishments, operational fees, and advertising regulations for the sector. One of the prerequisites is that the betting company must have its headquarters in the country and be incorporated in Brazil.

Influencer in Maranhão is investigated

In operation, on September 26th, the Civil Police seized assets linked to the digital influencer Skarlete Mello, as she was contributing to Fortune Tiger. Three motorcycles, four cars were seized, including two luxury vehicles, one jet-ski, and the Court authorized the freezing of R$8 million (US$ 1.6m) in a bank account.

The operation was led by the State Superintendency of Criminal Investigations (SEIC), through the Department for Combating Organized Crime. During the investigations, the police discovered that there is an alleged scheme surrounding the online game Fortune Tiger, in which Skarlete would earn money by promoting the game on her social networks.

On Instagram, Skarlete has more than 300 thousand followers, boasts wealth and makes a point of promoting the game, in which she says she 'plays whoever wants'. There are also advertisements for several others considered games of chance. However, the so-called 'Tiger Game' is illegal, according to the police, and is also not authorized to operate in Brazil.

Source: G1