The sports betting CPI of the Chamber of Deputies, which investigates the manipulation of results in soccer matches, met this Tuesday, 8th, to discuss the integrity of the sport with bookmakers representatives.
The members of the committee received representatives from companies in the sports betting sector.
At the hearing, the deputies asked questions about the sector and the performance of the operators to the two guests:
- André Gelfi – President of the Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming (IBJR)
- Wesley Callegari Cardia – President of the National Gaming and Lottery Association (ANJL)
André Gelfi opened the debate by explaining the importance of regulating the sector in Brazil. “Explain how the dynamic works and make it clear that the main step that can be taken – there is no miracle solution – is to have a regulation that systematizes controls and has all the rules to curb the evil done, criminal activity”.
However, he criticized the way in which the tax and fiscal issue was addressed in the provisional measure. “We took an important step forward with regulation, presented via PM and now going to the Chamber. Unfortunately, we are concerned about the format regarding the tax and fiscal issue of this activity”.
However, Gelfi praised the proposed mechanisms aimed at curbing the match-fixing in sporting events. “With regard to the manipulation of results, we understand that what was published is very well underway. Technically we have the conditions for this issue to be well addressed from now on”.
Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming
André Gelfi also clarified the purpose of the IBJR. “The institute was formed by companies that share affinities, the main one being licensed in N jurisdictions. Among the members of the institute, we have more than 50 licenses”.
“We are concerned with ensuring certain compliance criteria and as these maintenance companies operate outside Brazil and as Brazil still does not have regulations, we adopted the criterion that you need to have a license from a mature and regulated market, such as the USA. , Europe and even Latin America, with Colombia”.
“Companies that are licensed and already operate according to rules because we don’t have a structure here, but we are concerned that they are companies that follow criteria related to match-fixing, responsible gaming and money laundering,” he added.
Wesley Callegari Cardia of the National Gaming and Lottery Association
The president of the National Association of Gambling and Lotteries pondered that the two organizations represented during the meeting of the sports betting CPI together represent a small portion of the operators. “In Brazil, it is estimated that there are around four thousand houses”.
“We have the same intention of providing transparency, security, curbing match fixing, promoting the collection of fair taxes, preventing people with additional distributions from participating in bets and preventing the participation of minors”
“I want to emphasize a theme that is dear to us, legal gambling does not encourage gambling, on the contrary, it gives the state and the citizen security that this economic activity walks within the rules”, added Wesley Callegari Cardia.
Cardia pointed out that the group was formed to present the claims of bookmakers, however, always supporting the dialogue between the sector and public authorities, as well as regulation.
“Our entity was created to give an institutional format to the claims of members and allow a frank exchange of ideas and information with public authorities. We are intransigent defenders of regulation and the creation of laws that regulate the market”, he pointed out.
In addition, he informed that most of the companies already comply with international standards in effect in their host countries. “Many of the companies have shares on stock exchanges. You have to be extremely careful with compliance because if you do something wrong here, it reflects in your country of origin. And none of the companies wants that to happen here”, he concluded.
Check out the full sports betting CPI hearing below:
About the sports betting CPI
The sports betting CPI is chaired by Deputy Julio Arcoverde (PP-PI) and reported by Deputy Felipe Carreras (PSB-PE). Work began on May 17 with an initial deadline of 120 days.
The initiative to create the collegiate was based on investigations carried out by the Public Ministry of Goiás that raised suspicions of manipulation in games of the Brazilian Championship last year, as well as in state games this year.
Some players related to the scheme have already been judged by sports justice and have been punished with fines, suspensions and even banishment from football.