A recent survey indicated that 54 percent of the country's inhabitants see an increasing possibility of match-fixing or manipulation of results through online betting platforms.
Brazil.- More than half of Brazilian citizens believe that sports betting sites increase the risk of football match-fixing. A Datafolha survey conducted from November 5 to 7 showed that 54 percent of people see an increase in the possibility of manipulation with the emergence of online betting companies, according to the media outlet Folha.
The survey was conducted in 113 municipalities across the five regions of Brazil, through 1,935 interviews with people aged 18 or older, in metropolitan areas and interior cities. The margin of error for the total sample is two percentage points, plus or minus, with a 95 percent confidence level.
Three percent of those surveyed stated that betting reduces the risk of manipulation. Another 33 percent said it makes no difference in this regard and 9 percent did not know or chose not to answer.
The research also tracked the behavior of fans who have the habit of placing bets. And the majority stated that they never bet against their own team: 69 percent. The remaining 31 percent said they had done so against their favorite team's opponent.
The survey also showed that most fans resist the possibility of a betting house sponsoring their team. Only 32 percent of those who say they have a club are in favor, and 59 percent are against. Six percent said they were indifferent and 4 percent did not know how to answer.
Despite this objection, the money offered by sports betting companies has proven irresistible to sports institutions. In this year's Brazilian Championship, including Serie A, Serie B, and Serie C, 52 of the 60 teams had the brand of an online betting house on their uniforms. The competition itself had its name sold by the CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation) and was renamed Brasileirão Betano.
Starting in January, the four major São Paulo teams will have a betting house as their main sponsor. Corinthians, São Paulo, and Santos already count, respectively, with significant funds from Esportes da Sorte, Superbet, and Blaze. While Palmeiras already has a deal for four seasons with Sportingbet.
See also: Integrity in gaming: Lula defends the prohibition of betting on yellow and red cards
At this moment, two players from the Brazilian national team, Lucas Paquetá and Luiz Henrique, are being investigated for alleged match-fixing and were called to testify before the CPI of Betting, in the Federal Senate. Both deny having participated in any illegal scheme.
The Flamengo forward Bruno Henrique also declares himself innocent, the subject of a recent operation by the Federal Police investigating a possible manipulation of cards to benefit the players. There was a raid and seizure of documents at the athlete's home, at the training center of the red-black club, and at the homes of his relatives, in various municipalities of Minas Gerais.
