A bill (PL 845/2023) presented by senators Jorge Kajuru (PSB-GO) and Hamílton Mourão (Republicanos-RS) proposes the regulation of sports betting in Brazil, a branch that moved at least US$ 35 billion during the 2022 World Cup.
The proposal establishes rules for companies to explore betting services, including the payment of BRL 20 million to the Brazilian state to obtain a 5-year authorization and the requirement of advertising for “Responsible Gaming”. Now, the Senate must analyze the project.
Fans are already used to seeing advertising from various betting sites on their teams’ shirts. Some championships are also named after the brand of some of these sites. This billionaire market began to expand in Brazil after the approval of a law in 2018 that allowed the activity.
However, there has still been no regulation of the law and the companies that currently operate in the country are headquartered abroad. For senator Jorge Kajuru, from the Goiás PSB, it is essential to address this matter urgently.
“In my view, the time has come to take care of this matter, this hornet’s nest. Because of the vertiginous growth of the sports betting market and the problems arising from the lack of regulation. And the lack of specific legislation has led companies to base their business abroad , which generates losses to the public coffers due to the lack of tax collection”, said Kajuru.
Senators Jorge Kajuru and Hamilton Mourão, from the Republicans of Rio Grande do Sul, proposed a regulation for the sports betting branch. According to the proposal, companies would have to have at least one branch in Brazil, pay BRL 20 million to obtain a five-year authorization and collect the taxes due on the awards. In addition, the bookmaker must carry out advertising to promote “Responsible Gaming”.
“Unbridled advertising can generate serious social problems. It is worrying the number of teenagers and even children who venture into the world of gambling without proper knowledge of the risks to mental health, triggering not only compulsive behaviors but also addictions “, Kajuru added.
The proposal for the regulation of sports betting also includes an investment of part of the taxes collected in public schools in poor communities. The Bill will now be forwarded to the analysis of the Senate committees.
