On Tuesday (1st), the Minister of Treasury, Fernando Haddad, announced his intention to challenge a decision by the Federal Court. This decision authorizes Loterj online betting companies to operate throughout Brazil.
Haddad believes that this situation can cause legal conflicts and disrespect for tax regulations. “I believe that we will be able to overturn this injunction, because it doesn’t make much sense for a State to have a national lottery.”
He highlighted that the activities of state lotteries are provided for by law and recognized by jurisprudence. However, the expansion of jurisdiction to the entire national territory, which the injunction would make possible, may conflict with constitutional principles.
For Haddad, Loterj could cause legal conflicts
This dispute between the government of the State of Rio and the Ministry of Finance has been developing since April. The injunction authorizes companies that regularized their operations in April 2023 to operate throughout the country, even without approval from the federal government.
During the press conference, the minister also announced that the positive list of companies that requested authorization to continue operating will be released today. This list included firms that can operate until the end of the year.
On the other hand, the list of websites that should be blocked by the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) will be published gradually. “What will be [released] little by little is the list of what has to be blocked by Anatel”, he declared.
The minister added that scanning the entire internet in a short space of time is impractical. Thus, the government will establish a work routine with Anatel so that the identification and blocking of irregular websites occurs continuously.
In other words, this gradual approach seeks to ensure effective regulation of online betting. The objective is to prevent unauthorized services from operating freely, violating federal government regulations.
Complexity in betting regulation
The discussion about the regulation of online betting in Brazil is complex, involving legal and economic aspects. The rapid evolution of the sector requires adaptation of rules to ensure security and transparency.
So, as more states regulate their lotteries and games, the need for national coordination becomes clear. Therefore, this collaboration is crucial to avoid legal conflicts and ensure that bet collection benefits the public.
