After its request for a national license was not approved by the SPA, Esportes da Sorte decided to appeal the decision in court. During the transition period stipulated by the Government, the betting house used an authorization from the Lottery of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Loterj) to continue operating.
However, this authorization was suspended by Minister André Mendonça, of the Federal Supreme Court (STF), who invalidated the licenses of all betting houses that operated nationally based on Loterj regulations.
In an official statement, Esportes da Sorte stated that it had not received any notification from SPA/MF regarding the next steps required to grant the license and is awaiting a public statement from the competent bodies.
“Given the urgency of the authorization, the company filed a lawsuit with a preliminary injunction and is awaiting its approval. Furthermore, the group reiterates that it has not received any notification from SPA/MF regarding the next steps required to grant the license and is awaiting a public statement from the competent bodies,” the company explains in its official statement.
Last Monday (6), STF minister André Mendonça rejected Loterj's appeal against the ban on national operations of betting houses that only have state approval. Therefore, any advertising carried out outside the state limits of RJ is also prohibited, according to SPA.
There is a tug-of-war between the federal government and state lotteries. The Ministry of Finance understands that the licenses issued by states and municipalities allow for limited operations within their territories, under the terms of art. 35-A of Law No. 13,756. Recently, other betting companies have obtained court injunctions that allow them to continue operating until their SPA authorization processes are completed, which could set a favorable precedent for Esportes da Sorte.
Read the full note from Esportes da Sorte
The Esportes da Sorte Group informs that it applied for license 030/2024 from SPA/MF after complying with all legal and regulatory procedures established by the legislation and its respective ordinances, and awaits its approval, certain that all regulatory steps were strictly complied with. In the meantime, Esportes da Sorte operates through a license legally granted by LOTERJ valid until 2028.
Given the urgency of the authorization, the company filed a lawsuit with a preliminary request and awaits its approval. In addition, the group reinforces that it has not received any notification from SPA/MF regarding the next steps necessary for the granting of the license and awaits the public statement of the competent bodies. Finally, Grupo Esportes da Sorte reaffirms its commitment to regulating the sector and responsible gaming.
Source: GMB
