The working group (WG) that debates the regulatory framework for games in Brazil will include the so-called ‘fantasy games’, or ‘fantasy sports’, in the project. The game modality already has a wide player base in Brazil.
The group’s deputies estimate that the regulation of this type of game could generate a revenue of R$ 8 billion. Despite the expected financial return, the proposal faces resistance from parliamentarians who fear the negative impact of the measure and the legalization of any type of bet in the country.
The ‘fantasy games’ are betting game modalities in which the result is linked to the performance of athletes in real sports championships.
An example that already exists in Brazil today is Cartola FC, in which competitors create virtual teams of soccer athletes. Points are accumulated according to the performance of these professionals in the championships. The player with the team that accumulates the most points receives a cash prize at the end of the championship.
The WG is chaired by deputy Bacelar (Podemos-BA), who proposed the inclusion of the betting modality, claiming that its practice is already widespread in Brazil but lacks a law that allows its regulation, as well as the definition of mechanisms to protect players. “If such a site fails to pay the winner, who can he turn to?” he asked.
The project’s rapporteur, deputy Felipe Carreras (PSB-PE), also defends the need to regulate this type of game in the country, due to the impossibility of controlling the type of bet involved in fantasy games. “Anyone with a smartphone is able to follow a football game and bet on the outcome. You can, with a device in your hand, bet on any football team in Brazil”, said the rapporteur.
The report on the legal framework of the game may be voted on by the GT this Thursday (9). Once approved by the group, the text can be appreciated in plenary.
There is no forecast, however, that the final deliberation will take place until the end of next week, when the legislative recess will begin. The matter should be discussed in 2022 by the set of deputies.
