The federal decision to create clear and transparent rules for an industry that is already a reality was responsible and correct. Not regulating the gaming and betting market would mean opening the doors to illicit activities by irresponsible operators, who would only aim to harm Brazilian consumers.
Since the enactment of Law 14.790/2023, known as the ‘Sports Betting Law’, as would be expected, society and large sectors that drive the country’s economy have shown concern about the practical effects of this sanction.
Some are afraid that the growth in people’s gambling habits, even though it generates jobs in Brazil and revenue, will have an impact on other sectors of the economy. In another area, there is concern about family debt, gambling addiction, excessive and malicious advertising, and mental health problems.
In all these situations, there is something fundamental and a priority: differentiating serious companies committed to addressing solutions to these issues and contributing to the country's economy from those that, from the beginning, have only shown interest in irresponsible profit and lack of commitment to Brazilian society.
The date for the law's full implementation is January 1, 2025. With the new year, we will have a selection of serious companies operating legally in Brazil, with licenses granted by the government, dedicated to following the new rules and committed to safe entertainment, broad dissemination of important information and the well-being of players.
Gambling, whether online or physical, is already part of Brazilians' routine. However, it is important to understand that the problems faced so far with uncertified games, excessive and inappropriate advertising, in addition to significant mental health problems, are a consequence of a market that has spent the last six years without any type of regulation. The industry is already established in Brazil and would not cease to exist if it were not regulated.
The latest ordinances published by the Ministry of Finance determined the protection of groups vulnerable to abusive advertising and defined a series of devices to make debt and fraud more difficult – such as CPF verification, having a “clean record” and making payments only via debit or PIX.
The rules follow international standards of good practices applied in the betting market, such as those of the United Kingdom, the best reference we have to date. These measures were, from the beginning, defended by serious companies that brought new investments to clubs and to Brazilian sports in general.
As president of the IBJR, I emphasize that gambling is a source of entertainment and should never be seen or used as an investment or a way to make quick and easy money. This model explored in the country by other companies until now is not responsible, legal gambling focused on fun. It is extortion of family income, health and a breach of trust in a sector that is investing in jobs, tax payments and the creation of a structure to defend players.
The IBJR is committed to working to ensure a safe environment for players, sustainable for companies, based on ethics, fair play and responsible entertainment. For this reason, we recognize the efforts of the Federal Government to regulate the betting sector, aiming to protect players and insert this industry into the formal economy, contributing to Brazil.
André Gelfi
President of the Brazilian Institute for Responsible Gaming (IBJR)
