The Minister of Treasury, Fernando Haddad, said this Tuesday (17), that the order issued today banning the operation of bookmakers without authorization in Brazil from October onwards is just the first step in a broad regulatory process of the game.
In addition to being a health-related topic, Haddad discussed debt and credit card use, topics that are already on the banks’ radar. “We are starting today with this first measure, but I have already determined that all of this is regulated properly,” said the minister.
“The issue of debt for the purpose of the game, the issue of using credit cards, the issue of advertising, sponsorship, the issue of credit for playing has also come to us,” he added.
Still according to Haddad, all of this will go through, “in the next few weeks, with a very rigorous fine-tooth comb”.
Government sets new deadline for accreditation of bookmakers
So, in the order published this Tuesday (17), the Prizes and Betting Secretariat of the Ministry of Treasury gives betting companies that have not started their process with the government until October 1st to finish work in the country.
There are two more deadlines:
- Until October 10th to withdraw bettors’ deposits
- On October 11th, the organization will ask for the site to be blocked and the application to be removed from betting houses that have not complied.
“Our objective here is to deal with this matter with due caution. The distance between entertainment and addiction in these cases is very thin. The world is learning to deal with this,” said the Finance Minister.
“Brazil even came out ahead from a regulatory point of view and we are going to anticipate government actions with the support of the law that was approved by Congress”, he added.
Other departments, such as the Ministry of Health, are also involved in this coordination of the Federal Government. “Thus, the objective of regulation is to create the conditions so that we can provide support. Government action begins today to clear this all up”, he concluded.
Industry entity presents data on excessive gambling
According to the Brazilian Legal Game Institute (IJL), which works for the legalization and creation of legal frameworks for these activities, it is “easy to blame betting. Research by the WHO (World Health Organization) proves that 97% of players have a healthy relationship with betting”, said Magno José, president of the IJL.
“In the UK, where betting is more common, only 1% of bettors have serious problems and need to stay abstinent through self-exclusion mandates,” he continued.
