The Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming (IBJR) establishes a set of essential principles to ensure consumer protection in online betting activities in Brazil. All IBJR signatories and members, representing about 75% of the Brazilian market and applicants for licenses under Law 14.790/23, commit to complying with these principles in their operations and to encouraging third-party affiliates, such as content creators, influencers, and social media profiles, as well as brand ambassadors, to adopt them whenever applicable.
This commitment reflects the importance of promoting a safe and responsible environment for all players. The institute outlines clear guidelines to ensure that the betting ecosystem operates in a regulated, healthy, and secure market.
Responsible gaming principles
One of the main focuses is the [1] protection of minors and individuals prohibited from participating in gaming activities. To achieve this, IBJR member companies implement strict measures aimed at preventing unauthorized individuals from accessing the platforms. Additionally, they undertake operational and educational actions to [2] combat match-fixing, in collaboration with respective sports and governmental authorities, national and international sports integrity bodies, to detect, prevent, and, if necessary, assist in penalizing match-fixing and sports events manipulation.
“The principles represent the commitment of betting operators, members of IBJR, who currently hold 75% of the Brazilian market. These principles and all responsible gaming programs, match-fixing prevention efforts, and anti-money laundering measures are imperative for the long-term sustainability of the market, especially the regulated market,” emphasizes Martin Lycka, SVP of regulatory affairs and responsible gaming at Entain, and one of the founding members of IBJR.
The companies follow strict standards and collaborate with competent authorities to ensure operational integrity and [3] prevent money laundering and fraud. All organizations commit to [4] working only with third-party providers that are duly licensed in Brazil or seeking licensing in accordance with current legislation.
Another important aspect is to [5] provide clear and accessible information to consumers about how to gamble responsibly, customer service options, and other support channels. This includes allocating part of their expenses to the creation of educational campaigns and [6] promoting a unified national free helpline for those who need support. Companies are committed to ensuring that their [7] advertising practices are socially responsible, avoiding the use of minors in campaigns and employing representatives who comply with the law.
The Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming (IBJR) provides customers with [8] tools to gamble responsibly, including, among others, [9] self-exclusion tools, financial and account limits, as well as customers' betting histories. The entity believes in the importance of [10] encouraging players to set budgets and [11] limits on their bets, avoiding the pursuit of loss recovery, and viewing gambling as entertainment rather than a means to financial success.
“We, at IBJR, have already been developing and launching these best practices both inside and outside of Brazil for several years. The current offerings of these operators already respect these principles. These consumer protection policies and programs have been helping our customers and partners, including football clubs and other Brazilian sports entities. To ensure the sustainability of the market, IBJR members are committed to the Brazilian public by ensuring that our customers, when using our sites, are adequately protected from the external risks related to sports betting,” concluded Martin Lycka.
The [12] shared responsibility approach is fundamental, and the Institute is committed to collaborating with legislators, experts, and treatment organizations to promote responsible gambling. We also support [13] evidence-based consumer protection research and initiatives, which reaffirms companies’ commitment to integrity and safety in the online betting sector.
IBJR is also involved in the [14] ongoing training of employees, through training on responsible gambling, sports integrity, and AML (Anti-Money Laundering), at the time of hiring and subsequently, on a regular basis, to incorporate a consumer protection culture into our businesses. Finally, IBJR is committed to [15] continuously evaluating and monitoring our respective consumer protection programs and initiatives.
The Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming (IBJR) was born from the union of the bet365, Flutter, Entain, Betsson Group, Betway Group, Yolo Group, KTO Group, Rei do Pitaco, Novibet, LeoVegas, Kaizen Gaming, and SkillOnNet Groups with the goal of fostering debate on the regulation of this segment in Brazil, contributing with information to advocate for the creation of clear rules and guidelines so that sports betting companies can operate legally, protecting the interests of players and civil society.
Currently, in addition to iGaming and sports betting companies, IBJR’s members include payment companies such as Grupo OKTO, Pay4Fun, and OneKey Payments, media groups like Better Collective, the Clever Advertising agency, the sports marketing company Volta Pra Marcar, and the anti-fraud solutions company GeoComply.
Founded in 2023 by the leading betting companies in the global iGaming industry, IBJR was the first group from this sector to establish itself in the country, placing responsible gaming, sports integrity, and player protection at the forefront of its mission. The founding companies operate on five continents, representing approximately 75% of the offshore online betting and gaming market.
Source: GMB
