Created more than a month ago, the Prizes and Betting Secretariat (SPA) at the Ministry of Finance still does not have a definitive owner. Currently, lawyer Simone Aparecida Vicentini holds the position on a provisional basis, acting as deputy secretary.
But the uncertainty about Vicentini’s employment raises concerns among companies in the sports betting sector about entering the Brazilian market. This is because they see a lack of leadership in the structure of the secretariat.
Simone Vicentini has a temporary role
With its significant fundraising potential and strategic importance in the sports market, parliamentarians and businesspeople have become interested in SPA. Because everyone knows that whoever takes on the role will effectively have influence on the Finance secretariat.
However, to date, no political name has officially assumed roles in the body. Senator Rogério Carvalho (PT-SE) would have indicated a name to Fernando Haddad, but the name was not revealed.
The choice of the Secretary of Prizes and Bets will be the responsibility of Marcos Barbosa Pinto, current secretary of Economic Reforms. Simone Vicentini, currently deputy secretary, is a specialist in Constitutional and Administrative Law.
She has extensive experience in legal advice for public bodies. His provisional appointment was seen behind the scenes as an indication from the Minister of the Civil House, Rui Costa.
In addition to Vicentini, two other women are part of the SPA team:
- Raiana Luiza de Andrade Falcão Ferreira, compliance specialist, took over as Undersecretary of Sanctioning Action
- Daniela Olimpio de Oliveira, researcher and professor of tax law, is the Undersecretary of Authorization
Prizes and Betting Secretariat is coveted by Centrão
A name still needs to be named for the third Sub-Secretariat, Monitoring and Inspection, responsible for combating money laundering and other crimes in the betting market.
José Francisco Manssur, former special advisor to the Treasury and responsible for regulating the sports betting market in the country, was the right name to take over as secretary.
But he ended up being dismissed in February after pressure from Centrão parties, according to an article in Metropoles.
His dismissal raised questions, but the Minister of Finance, Fernando Haddad, denied any external influence, stating that the decision came from Manssur himself.
The Prizes and Betting Secretariat is essential for regulating fixed-odd betting and online gaming in Brazil. She will also be responsible for preventing money laundering and promoting responsible gaming policies.
In this way, even though the Sports department maintains responsibility for the integrity of the results, the Treasury assumed most of the responsibilities over the new betting market.