The Best CPI has a new chapter this Tuesday (27), when it receives two more testimonies. On this occasion, from businessman Jorge Barbosa Dias, owner of the betting platform MarjoSports and digital influencer Luan Kovarik (better known as Jon Vlogs), creator of the betting platform Jonbet.
Senator Soraya Thronicke (Podemos-MS), rapporteur of the CPI, is the author of the summons request. Kovarik will testify as a person under investigation (RQS 172/2024 – CPIBETS).
According to the justification for the request, the influencer has “relevance” in the online betting market because he brings together a large number of users on the Jonbet platform. In addition, he was also at the forefront of a “massive” promotional campaign for Blaze, another betting platform.
In her request, Soraya justifies the summons. “[Kovarik’s] presence is crucial to clarify the responsibility of digital influencers in the creation and promotion of betting platforms, as well as to investigate the potential ethical conflicts involved in these practices,” she states in the text.
Jorge Barbosa Dias appears before the committee as a witness, also on Soraya’s initiative (RQS 257/2024 – CPIBETS). He is a partner in the company JBD Comunicação e Tecnologia Ltda., responsible for the MarjoSports brand.
The company was recently accredited by the Rio de Janeiro State Lottery (Loterj) to operate sports betting. The lawmakers want to clarify the accreditation criteria adopted, in addition to investigating suspicions of the company’s involvement in money laundering.
Bets CPI has until June to release final report
Created in November 2024, the Bets CPI investigates the possible association of the online betting sector with criminal organizations and illicit practices. It also investigates the role of digital influencers in the popularization of betting platforms.
At a meeting of leaders last Thursday (22), the president of the Senate, Davi Alcolumbre (União-AP) asked for speed in writing a final report in the so-called Bets CPI. Alcolumbre showed irritation with the recent meetings.
Even with the deadline for completing the CPI being extended by 45 days, members of the Commission have until June to send the final report to the President of the Senate.
