Irregular Betting Sites Will Be Banned: Learn About the New Rules and How This Will Affect Players
In addition to blocking sites, the government also intends to regulate advertising, prohibit the use of credit cards, and protect Bolsa Família beneficiaries from online betting.
The Lottery House
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New Scenario for Online Betting in Brazil
The online betting market in Brazil is about to undergo a significant transformation. The federal government has announced strict measures to combat sports betting sites that do not comply with Brazilian regulations, including the blocking of around 600 platforms. At the same time, measures to curb excessive money use in bets, protect vulnerable players, and regulate advertising in the sector are also underway. In this article, we will detail the planned actions, their impacts, and what bettors should do to prepare for these changes.
Government Measures to Combat Irregular Betting
Finance Minister Fernando Haddad revealed in an interview with CBN radio that the federal government is determined to ban betting sites that operate irregularly in Brazil. The National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) will be responsible for blocking access to these sites in Brazilian territory. Haddad highlighted that currently, there are between 500 and 600 online betting platforms that operate outside the norms established by the National Congress.
Haddad recommended that bettors immediately withdraw the amounts deposited on these sites, warning about the risk of losing this money after the block. "If you have money in a betting site, ask for a refund now. You have the right to be refunded," said the minister. According to him, Anatel will formalize the blocking order from October 11th, after the irregular sites list is released.
New Prohibitions and Stricter Inspections
In addition to blocking, the government is also adopting other measures to regulate the online betting market:
Prohibition of the Use of Credit Cards and Bolsa Família in Bets:
The government plans to prohibit the use of credit cards and the Bolsa Família card on betting sites. In August 2024, it was found that 5 million Bolsa Família beneficiaries spent R$3 billion on online bets. For Haddad, it is essential to control this type of spending to protect individuals in socially and economically vulnerable situations.
Bets Tracking by CPF:
Another announced measure involves tracking bettors' behavior through their CPF. According to Haddad, it is crucial to monitor betting patterns to identify dependency behavior and possible money laundering practices. "Those who bet a lot and win little generally have a psychological dependence on gambling. Those who bet little and win a lot generally involve money laundering," explained the minister.
Advertising Regulation:
Haddad classified the advertising of the betting sector as "completely out of control" and announced that the government intends to impose stricter regulations, similar to the restrictions on cigarette and alcohol advertising. A meeting with advertising self-regulation entities was scheduled to discuss the new rules and strategies for regulating betting advertisements.
Action Against Illegal Betting Operators
According to the Secretary of Prizes and Betting at the Ministry of Finance, Régis Dudena, the list of illegal operators to be banned is already being prepared. Current legislation gives until the end of the year for betting sites to comply, with requirements that include the prohibition of credit card usage and measures to prevent crimes such as money laundering.
Régis Dudena clarified that the government identified two groups in the betting market: serious companies that sought out the Ministry of Finance to regularize their activities and opportunistic operators who exploit bettors in an uncontrolled manner, often committing fraud and even facilitating criminal activities.
Sites that have not yet started the regularization process are already under the government's radar, and even before the deadline, the blocking of platforms that have not requested authorization has already begun to be organized. "If the process was started in May and, to this day, the company has not even requested authorization, I cannot recognize that it is in an adjustment period," said Dudena.
The Risks and Concerns of Online Betting
The growing popularity of online sports betting in Brazil has raised concerns about the impact of this practice on people in socially vulnerable situations. The Federal Public Defender's Office for Citizen's Rights has initiated a procedure to assess the effects of online betting on these groups, while the Federal Police have started a preliminary investigation to identify possible money laundering operations in the betting market.
The government aims to impose restrictions on compulsive bettors, identifying those who show signs of gambling addiction and implementing measures to protect them. The goal is to prevent online betting from being used as a tool for financial exploitation or criminal practices.
What to Expect from the Future of Betting in Brazil
The new government actions represent a significant change in the online betting market in Brazil. By banning hundreds of irregular sites, regulating the use of payment methods, and putting control mechanisms into practice, the government aims to establish a safer and more transparent environment for bettors.
For players, the message is clear: withdraw the money deposited in unregulated sites and stay aware of the changes. Stricter enforcement also means that those who bet responsibly will have a more controlled and fair environment to participate in.
Additionally, the regulation of advertising will raise more awareness about the risks of betting and could reduce the influence of uncontrolled advertising on the most vulnerable groups.
The online betting market in Brazil is undergoing a transformation. The change may make betting safer and more responsible, but players need to be aware of the new rules and the scenario being set for the future.