In a decision published this Thursday (2), Minister André Mendonça, of the Supreme Federal Court (STF), suspended the national operating authorization of Esportes da Sorte, a betting house that is the main sponsor of Corinthians and also has partnerships with other important clubs, such as Grêmio, Bahia, and Ceará.
The bet operated nationally through a license obtained from Loterj in October last year and valid until the turn of the year. However, the STF announced that Minister André Mendonça's decision prohibits the "exploitation of lottery and electronic gaming activities outside the state territory of Rio de Janeiro", in addition to the "accreditation of companies to operate in other locations".
"The minister decided [...] to suspend the effectiveness of the amendment to the accreditation notice [...] which relaxed the territorial supervision mechanisms for the exploitation of lotteries in the fixed quota sports betting modality. The agency is also required to demand from the bets accredited by it the use of electronic geolocation mechanisms that ensure that the bets are effectively originating only from Rio de Janeiro", reported the court.
As of this Thursday (2), Loterj now has five days to cease the exploitation of lotteries and electronic games outside the territorial limits of Rio. The same deadline was granted by the STF for the agency to implement the geolocation systems.
The system must ensure that the bets are effectively originating from the state of Rio de Janeiro and block bets from other regions
"In the understanding of the AGU, by accrediting companies to explore the service nationwide, Loterj harms the federal pact and free competition; disobeys the rules of the Ministry of Finance and invades the competence of the Union by exploring the lottery service throughout the national territory. The action with the request for an injunction was filed by the AGU on October 11, 2024", emphasized the STF.
It is worth noting that Esportes da Sorte is not on the list of bets authorized to operate in the country in the latest list released by the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets of the Ministry of Finance, on December 31 last year. The authorization is necessary for the company to display its brand on the uniforms of Corinthians, Grêmio, Bahia, and Ceará.
The decision of André Mendonça will still be judged by the plenary of the STF, but there is still no defined date, due to the end-of-year recess period.
Esportes da Sorte positions itself
In a note sent to ESPN, Esportes da Sorte stated that it "complies with legal requirements" and that "meets all the requirements of responsible gaming, in addition to presenting the certificates of integrity required" to operate in Brazil.
The betting house also pointed out that "any information contrary to this decision has not yet come to the knowledge of the company, which awaits the public statement of the competent bodies".
The betting house also reported that it applied for a license to operate nationwide with the Ministry of Finance, after understanding that it complied with all the legal procedures, and awaits approval, which may occur within 150 days.
"In light of these facts, the Esportes da Sorte Group reaffirms its commitment to the regulation of the sector and to responsible gaming aiming to protect the interests of civil society, generating jobs, income, and in favor of the economic, social, and cultural development of the country", completed the bet.
Corinthians and Esportes da Sorte signed a three-season contract in July last year. The agreement provides for the payment of R$ 309 million to Timão, with targets that can increase the amount.
Of this amount, R$ 57 million are reserved for the payment of the salaries of striker Memphis Depay. The bet also helped in the definitive hiring of goalkeeper Hugo Souza, in November 2024.
Note from the STF
The State Lottery of Rio de Janeiro (Loterj) and the state of Rio de Janeiro are prohibited from exploring lottery and electronic gaming activities outside the state territory of Rio de Janeiro and from accrediting companies to operate in other locations. The decision was made this Thursday (2/01) by Minister André Mendonça, of the Supreme Federal Court (STF), at the request of the Attorney General's Office (AGU).
In the precautionary measure granted in civil action 3.696, the minister also decided to suspend the effectiveness of the amendment to the accreditation notice no. 1/2023, which relaxed the territorial supervision mechanisms for the exploitation of lotteries in the fixed quota sports betting modality. The agency is also required to demand from the bets accredited by it the use of electronic geolocation mechanisms that ensure that the bets are effectively originating only from Rio de Janeiro.
Loterj has five days, from the notification of the decision rendered, to cease the exploitation of lotteries and electronic games outside the territorial limits of Rio. The same deadline was granted by the STF for the agency to implement the geolocation systems. The system must ensure that the bets are effectively originating from the state of Rio de Janeiro and block bets from other regions.
In the understanding of the AGU, by accrediting companies to explore the service nationwide, Loterj harms the federal pact and free competition; disobeys the rules of the Ministry of Finance and invades the competence of the Union by exploring the lottery service throughout the national territory. The action with the request for an injunction was filed by the AGU on October 11, 2024.
Note from Esportes da Sorte
The Esportes da Sorte Group informs that it is able to operate according to the Authorization and Accreditation Term no. 003/2023 from LOTERJ. The agency verified that the company complies with the legal requirements, including Legal Qualification, Fiscal and Labor Regularity, Economic-Financial Qualification, Technical Qualification, and meets all the requirements of responsible gaming, in addition to presenting the certificates of integrity required.
Any information contrary to this decision has not yet come to the knowledge of the company, which awaits the public statement of the competent bodies.
In parallel, the company applied for license 030/2024 from SPA/MF, after complying with all the legal and normative procedures established by the legislation and its respective ordinances, and awaits its approval, certain that all regulatory stages have been rigorously complied with.
In light of these facts, the Esportes da Sorte Group reaffirms its commitment to the regulation of the sector and to responsible gaming aiming to protect the interests of civil society, generating jobs, income, and in favor of the economic, social, and cultural development of the country.
Source: ESPN
