Esportes da Sorte entra na Justiça para operar em Todo o Brasil
Esportes da Sorte entra na Justiça para operar em todo o Brasil. (Imagem: Corinthians / Rodrigo Coca)

Esportes da Sorte, a sports betting and online bookmaker, is seeking the right to operate nationally in court. The company, sponsor of Corinthians, has been banned from operating outside of Rio de Janeiro since January, because it does not yet have a license from the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA), linked to the Ministry of Treasury.

Understand the regulatory impasse at Esportes da Sorte

During the transition period, the company operated with authorization from the Rio de Janeiro State Lottery (Loterj). However, the territorial limitation of this endorsement prevents advertising or operations outside the state.

In an official note, Esportes da Sorte stated: “Faced with the urgency of authorization, the company filed an action with an injunction request and is awaiting approval. Furthermore, the group reinforces that it has not received any notification from SPA/MF regarding the next steps necessary to grant the license and is awaiting a public statement from the competent bodies.”

STF decision strengthens federal position

Last Monday (06), STF minister André Mendonça rejected an appeal by Loterj against the ban on national operations for companies with only state licenses. With this, authorities confirmed that they only allow betting and advertising within the limits of Rio de Janeiro. The municipality presented a new appeal the following day.

The veto impacts 25 companies accredited with Loterj, such as the Esportes da Sorte group and its advertising partnerships. Pixbet, Flamengo’s partner, was in the same situation, but got approval from SPA and obtained a temporary license.

The dispute goes beyond the case of Esportes da Sorte. The federal government maintains that licenses issued by states and municipalities limit the activities of betting houses to the granting territory. This interpretation is based on article 35-A of Law No. 13,756, which regulates gambling in Brazil.

Meanwhile, state lotteries defend their autonomy to issue licenses. This divergence creates an environment of uncertainty for companies in the sector and their investors.

Read the note from Esportes da Sorte in full

“Grupo Esportes da Sorte informs that it has applied for license 030/2024 from SPA/MF after complying with all the legal and regulatory rite established by legislation and its respective ordinances, and awaits its approval, certain that all regulatory steps have been strictly complied with.

In the meantime, Esportes da Sorte operates through a license legally granted by LOTERJ in force until 2028. Given the urgency of authorization, the company filed a lawsuit with an injunction request and is awaiting approval.

Furthermore, the group reinforces that it has not received any notification from SPA/MF regarding the next steps necessary to grant the license and is awaiting a public statement from the competent bodies. Finally, Grupo Esportes da Sorte reaffirms its commitment to regulating the sector and responsible gaming.”