Currently, 39 of the 40 clubs in the two divisions are sponsored by these bookmakers, whether on the jersey, in the stadium, or in competitions. It is common to see the name of the bets on the side panels and next to the goal in stadiums, for example.
It is estimated that the sector invests R$3.5 billion (US$ 715m) in Brazilian football. It is for this reason that 33 teams signed a joint note to repudiate the delimitation of betting houses' activities in the sport.
The amendment provides, in article 17, that advertising is prohibited “from being broadcast in any mass media, such as newspapers and magazines in their periodic physical editions. On television, radio and social media channels between 06:00 and 22:59, as well as in sports arenas of any sport.”
The text also prohibits the sector from “sponsoring teams, individual athletes, former athletes, referees, members of technical committees, professionals and amateurs of all sports, as well as championships organized by Olympic sports confederations, recognized and linked to the COB (Committee Brazilian Olympic Games), as well as the federations affiliated to them of all sports disciplines.”
The article justifies the veto as a way to prevent ludopathy.
The clubs, however, argue that they take the necessary measures: “The correct address of advertising messages inherent to the betting sector as well as the care of children and teenagers are extremely important issues for the signatory clubs.”
In partnership with Conar (National Advertising Self-Regulation Council), the teams have been trying to develop new guidelines to be applied in the soccer market.
They understand that the approval of the amendment, “in addition to being fruitless for the purpose for which it is proposed, would represent direct and irreparable damage to the main current source of revenue for Brazilian football.”
Finally, the teams ask the Economic Affairs Committee and the plenary to reject amendment no. 38-U.
It is worth mentioning that it is called a fixed-odds bet because the system defines, at the time of the bet, how much the bettor can win in case of a hit.
See the note in full:
The football clubs of Brazil, undersigned here, through this note, express enormous concern regarding the decision of the Sports Commission of the Federal Senate that approved Amendment No. 38-U to Bill No. 3,626/2023, despite the opposing votes of the distinguished senators Romário and Leila Barros and the original rejection by the rapporteur.
The mentioned amendment makes changes to Article 17 of the aforementioned bill to prohibit any advertising related to fixed-odds betting in sports arenas and/or through sponsorship of teams and championships, among other measures.
It is important to emphasize that the correct addressing of advertising messages related to the betting sector, as well as the care for children and adolescents, are extremely important issues for the undersigned clubs. Seeking to address the concern of contributing to a healthy environment, they have been proactive in developing guidelines applicable to the market in collaboration with CONAR.
The complete prohibition suggested by the Sports Commission, however, in addition to being ineffective for its intended purpose, would represent a direct and irreparable harm to the current main source of revenue for Brazilian football.
Because of this, the clubs request rejection by the Committee on Economic Affairs, as well as by the Plenary of this respected Senate, of the detrimental Amendment No. 38-U to Bill No. 3,626/2023, protecting Brazilian football and the principles of free enterprise and freedom of contract.
Signatory clubs
América Futebol Clube
Associação Chapecoense de Futebol
Atlético Clube Goianiense
Avaí Futebol Clube
Ceará Sporting Club
Centro Sportivo Alagoano
Club Athletico Paranaense
Clube Atlético Mineiro
Clube de Regatas Brasil
Clube de Regatas do Flamengo
Criciúma Esporte Clube
Cruzeiro Esporte Clube SAF
Cuiabá Esporte Clube
Esporte Clube Bahia
Esporte Clube Juventude
Figueirense Futebol Clube
Fluminense Futebol Clube
Fortaleza Esporte Clube
Goiás Esporte Clube
Grêmio Novorizontino
Guarani Futebol Clube
Ituano Futebol Clube
Paysandu Sport Club
SAF Botafogo
Sampaio Corrêa Futebol Clube
Santos Futebol Clube
São Paulo Futebol Clube
Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras
Sport Club Corinthians Paulista
Sport Club do Recife
Tombense Futebol Clube
Vasco da Gama SAF
Vila Nova Futebol Clube.
Source: GMB
