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Although the Federal Court ordered the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) to suspend sports betting sites in Rio de Janeiro, the portals remain active. Companies in the sector point out the lack of technological capacity to block websites in just one state.

Anatel reported that it sent the court decision to 600 service providers operating in Rio de Janeiro and is still receiving responses to the notifications. The agency claimed that “any difficulties in complying with the decision are related to technical issues.”

According to companies in the sector, operators do not have the necessary technology to block websites in a single state in the country, which makes compliance with the court order unfeasible.

Anatel and companies in the sector are trying to overturn the decision of judge Pablo Zuniga, of the Federal Regional Court of the 1st Region, handed down three weeks ago.

Photo: Pixabay

Lawsuit and Recent Updates

The process was initiated at the request of Loterj, the lottery authority in Rio de Janeiro. Thus, the institution alleged the irregular performance of sports betting companies in the state. Loterj launched a notice in Rio de Janeiro and has already qualified some companies, with a grant of R$5 million.

This value is lower than the R$30 million set by the federal government and allows for some flexibility. For example, companies can declare to be in Rio de Janeiro, but operate throughout the country without meeting the regionality criteria.

Loterj claims that it is supported by STF decisions.

The municipality reported that blockages are taking place. To date, only the operator VIVO has blocked access to betting websites in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The other operators have not yet complied with the order.

Companies already accredited by Loterj

In 2023, Loterj announced a notice for accreditation for betting companies. Currently, the companies accredited in Rio de Janeiro are Apostou RJ, Bestbet, Marjosports, Rio Jogo and Pixbet.

Finally, the companies: Caesars Sportsbook, Key Solution Gaming of Bet, PNR, Purple & Green and SDL Loterias are currently undergoing accreditation. Furthermore, Blaze applied for a license to operate in Rio de Janeiro.