On Thursday (28), the National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL) released a statement, aligning itself with the concerns of the president of Anatel (National Telecommunications Agency), Carlos Baigorri about illegal betting sites.
The head of the regulatory agency recently raised a warning about the ineffectiveness of blocking illegal betting sites in Brazil, a situation that could compromise the regulation of the sports betting market in the country.
ANJL warns of threats to the regulated betting market
ANJL reinforces that the persistence of illegal domains can undermine the distinction between legal and illegal betting sites. The entity, in conversations with operators in the sector, revealed that more than 2,000 illegal websites still operate freely in Brazil, despite a series of blocking attempts made by Anatel and the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA), of the Ministry of Finance.
Carlos Baigorri, in a recent interview, stated that Brazil is “draining ice” by trying to block these illegal platforms. According to the president of Anatel, the agency does not have the necessary resources to definitively eliminate these sites.
Plínio Lemos Jorge, president of ANJL, recognized the efforts of the Ministry of Finance and Anatel to block illegal websites, but issued a strong warning: “The industry needs an effective response.”
“Serious and legal websites will not be able to withstand competition from illegal sites.” For him, stricter action is urgently needed to separate the “wheat from the chaff” and protect the regulated market.
ANJL was also concerned about the approaching start of the regulation, scheduled for January 1st. The permanence of illegal websites that advertise misleadingly, do not pay taxes and offer dubious security could weaken the legalized industry. Furthermore, they place Brazil in an unfavorable position in the global betting market.
President of Anatel wants changes in legislation
The ANJL statement comes the day after Carlos Baigorri’s speech, which suggested changes to the betting law, especially with regard to digital blocks. According to the president of Anatel, current legislation does not give the agency the necessary powers to deal with the 5,200 illegal websites, as requested by the Ministry of Finance.
Baigorri then proposed the inclusion of new operators in the blocking process, such as:
- DNS providers (internet addresses)
- Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)
- VPN systems, which are often used to mask connections and bypass restrictions
Illegal websites in Brazil are a growing threat to sports betting, directly affecting legal companies. The market needs effective solutions to guarantee fair competition and the safety of bettors, without harming the regulated sector.
ANJL and other representatives of the betting sector continue to press for more effective actions to curb the operation of these illegal sites. The time to implement changes is short, and the market awaits a firmer stance from the responsible authorities.
