The head of the Sports portfolio of the federal government published a letter highlighting the need for a legal framework around sports betting to prevent match-fixing and other problems associated with illegality.
Brazil.- The debate around the regulation of sports betting in Brazil continues to add chapters. While the Supreme Federal Court (STF) proceeds with the analysis of the Direct Action of Unconstitutionality (ADI) that seeks to repeal the laws that allow betting and return to the prohibition that has been in place since 1941, various sectors continue to show their support for regulation and highlight the benefits it would bring.
One of the latest to come out in support of the legislation was the Minister of Sports, André Fufuca, who published an open letter in the Folha Newspaper in which he argues that the regulation of betting is necessary to, among other things, combat match-fixing and illegal betting networks.
«Betting has a long history in society and, in Brazil, gained popularity from 2018, with Law 13.756/18 and the widespread use of PIX. The current legislation proposes greater control and investment in sports, in favor of a fairer and more transparent sports environment. The Ministry of Sports, as a defender of the application of the General Sports Law, reinforces that the results should reflect the merit and effort of the athletes, thus promoting development and citizenship», says one of the excerpts from the letter.
In another excerpt, the minister highlights that, according to the last quarterly report of the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) only two alerts, out of the 42 registered worldwide, occurred in Brazil and this is, according to him, thanks to the legislation that was recently sanctioned in the country and that is now being questioned.
See also: Significant support: 30 Brazilian football clubs issued a statement backing the regulation of sports betting
«Best practices indicate that state regulation of betting is essential to protect the financial and mental health of bettors and prevent manipulation. International experience shows that prohibition or the absence of state control does not bring social, economic, or security benefits», affirmed Fufuca.
