After the Federal Government tightened the rules for bookmakers, requiring a license worth R$30 million, businesspeople found a ‘loophole’. For just R$5,000, around 0.02% of the official value, they obtain licenses in a small city, creating a true haven for betting.
The city of Bodó, in Rio Grande do Norte, with just 2,363 inhabitants, has become a true paradise for these companies. By paying a fee of R$5,000, it is possible to obtain a two-year license to operate online betting sites.
Since the accreditation opened by the city hall last year, there are now 38 registered companies, one for every 63 inhabitants, without the need to follow the requirements of the Ministry of Treasury.
Betting companies accredited by Bodó city hall
Among these companies, there are those that had their registrations denied by the Federal Government and others that didn’t even try. Platforms such as Play na Bet, Betinha and Bet10, approved by the city of Bodó, offer betting on sports such as football and basketball.
Aposta 7 focuses on online games, such as “Ratinho Sortudo” and live casinos. Furthermore, it bears the Bodó Municipal Lottery seal, although it does not have a federal license.
Mayor Horison José da Silva, from PL, is at the forefront of this busy betting scene. Marcelo Mário Porto Filho (former mayor of the city) initiated the measure in the previous administration, justifying it as a way of increasing revenue without new taxes or investments.
So far, the licenses have generated R$190,000 for municipal coffers, in addition to 2% of net profit. If they operated under federal rules, the same 37 companies would have to pay R$1.140 billion to the Ministry of Treasury.
The legislation allows municipal and state lotteries to authorize bets, but only within their limits. However, in Bodó, companies operate under different domains, such as “.com” and “.game”, instead of the official “.bet.br” domain, causing confusion with the Treasury’s rules.
