Lucky Sports, a sponsor of clubs such as Corinthians, Bahia, Ceará, and Náutico, as well as a partner of Grêmio, has filed a legal action requesting an injunction that allows it to operate in the Brazilian market while waiting for the licensing process by the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA) of the Ministry of Finance to conclude.
After its application for a national license was not approved by the Secretariat, Lucky Sports decided to appeal the decision in court. During the transition period stipulated by the Government, which ended on December 31, the betting house used an authorization from Loterj to continue operating.
However, this authorization was suspended by Minister André Mendonça, of the Supreme Federal Court (STF), who invalidated the licenses of all betting houses that operated nationally based on the regulation of Loterj.
In an official statement, Lucky Sports stated that it had not received any notification from SPA/MF about the next steps necessary for the license grant and awaits a public statement from the competent bodies.
“Facing the urgency of the authorization, the company filed a lawsuit with a request for an injunction and awaits its approval. Moreover, the group emphasizes that it has not received any notification from SPA/MF regarding the next steps necessary for the license grant and awaits the public manifestation of the competent bodies,” explains the company in its official note.
Last Monday (6), Minister of the STF André Mendonça rejected Loterj's appeal against the prohibition of national operation of betting houses that only have state approval. Thus, any advertising carried out outside the state limits of RJ is also prohibited, according to the SPA.
There is a tug-of-war between the federal government and the state lotteries. The Ministry of Finance understands that the licenses issued by states and municipalities allow operation limited to the scope of their territories, under the terms of art. 35-A of Law No. 13.756.
Recently, other betting companies obtained judicial injunctions that allow them to continue operating until the conclusion of their authorization processes at SPA, which may establish a favorable precedent for Lucky Sports.
Read the full note from Lucky Sports
Lucky Sports Group reports 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 stages have been rigorously complied with. In the meantime, Lucky Sports operates through a legally granted license by LOTERJ valid until the year 2028.
Facing the urgency of the authorization, the company filed a lawsuit with a request for an injunction and awaits its approval. Moreover, the group emphasizes that it has not received any notification from SPA/MF regarding the next steps necessary for the license grant and awaits the public manifestation of the competent bodies. Finally, the Lucky Sports Group reaffirms its commitment to the regulation of the sector and to responsible gaming.
Source: GMB
