The government is preparing three awareness-raising campaigns to alert players about online gambling. The first, scheduled for October, will be the publication of the list of companies that will be allowed to operate in the country. The second, broader campaign, will involve the participation of the Ministry of Health to warn about debt and the effect of gambling on people’s health. It will be an advertising campaign saying that gambling is entertainment and not a means of getting rich or making money. The third campaign will be in January 2025, with the list of companies that have received definitive authorization to provide the service in the country.
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Bettor Profile
In addition, starting in January, companies will be required to send daily reports to the Ministry of Finance about the profile of players, income, value, and frequency of bets.
Regulation
The process of regulating betting is underway in the government, which has given interested parties until 20 August to apply for accreditation. Applications from 113 companies are being analyzed. The deadline for granting authorization ends at the end of this year, but the Ministry of Finance anticipated this and published an ordinance on Tuesday (17) to disclose the list of companies considered legal. Those not on this list will be prohibited from providing the service as of 1 October.
Domain
In the coming days, companies that requested authorization will have to inform whether they operate with brands and on which websites. As of January, they will have to use the domain bet. br.
10 Normative Acts
The regulatory process involved a total of 10 normative acts. An ordinance issued at the end of July, for example, establishes rules for responsible gaming. For example, the use of credit cards is prohibited, although this will only be valid as of January. Another rule in the ordinance imposes self-regulation by operators. Websites must offer means for bettors to control themselves, in addition to clarifying that betting is not a means of enrichment or supplementing income.
R$30 million Grant
The ordinance establishes that starting next month, until the end of December, only betting companies that are already operating and that have requested authorization by this Monday, may continue to operate. Also, this year, the approved companies will have to pay the R$30 million grant to begin operating, and, starting in January, they will need to comply with all rules to combat fraud, money laundering, and abusive advertising, among others.
Advertising Prohibition
Vice-leader of the Lula government, Reginaldo Lopes (PT) wants to prohibit advertising and publicity for bets. The deputy presented a bill that prohibits the advertising of betting companies and products related to gambling. According to the proposal, the ban covers all media, including videos, signs, uniforms, radio, television, printed material, and the internet. In other words, if the project is successful, there would be an impact on the sponsorship of events and football clubs. Today, bets are the main investors in Brazilian football, including holders of naming rights to sports arenas and the main championship.
Analysis:
The Brazilian government’s strategy for regulating the betting industry focuses on balancing market control and consumer protection. By publishing an ordinance listing the companies allowed to operate, the government marks the beginning of a series of measures aimed at preventing gambling addiction. The prohibition of credit card usage for bets and mandatory daily reporting on players’ profiles are crucial steps to promote responsible gaming.
From an industry perspective, these regulations demand transparency and accountability from operators. Companies must adapt to meet the legal requirements, such as implementing fraud prevention measures and adhering to anti-money laundering protocols. Moreover, the proposed ban on betting advertising could reshape the sports sponsorship landscape, particularly in football, where gambling companies play a key financial role.
