The National Consumer Secretariat (Senacon) is considering important action. Specifically, this secretariat, which is linked to the Ministry of Justice, plans to notify bets authorized by the Ministry of Treasury to operate in Brazil by December.
The initiative comes after concerns about the practices adopted by these companies, specifically with regard to bonuses offered to attract new bettors.
Secretary Wadih Damous is at the forefront of this action and aims to understand the legal basis that justifies these bonuses, since Brazilian legislation is clear in prohibiting such practices.
According to Damous, the objective is to clarify whether betting companies are complying with the guidelines provided for by legislation, which regulates sports betting and online gaming.
Senacon will work in partnership with other ministries
In one of his statements to interlocutors, Damous highlighted that the legislation prohibits the offering of bonuses or prior advantages, even if it is for promotional or advertising purposes.
He recalls that the article of the law that regulates the betting sector establishes that any “prior bonus or advantage is prohibited, even if merely as a promotion, publicity or advertisement, for placing a bet”.
This issue has raised concerns, as bonuses make it easier for new bettors to join, which goes against legal understanding.
Damous defends the total prohibition of these practices and intends to work together with other government departments that also deal with the issue. Furthermore, he proposes taking immediate measures to limit the activities of online betting companies that disregard current regulations.
A list of 2,000 domains began to be blocked last Friday (11), but included affiliate sites and media portals. iGaming Brazil published the complete list and an editorial, commenting on the issue.
The expectation is that, in the coming days, the Secretariat will move forward with this notification process. Thus, seeking to ensure that companies act in accordance with Brazilian legislation.
List of bets authorized for operations in the country
The Ministry of Treasury updated the list of bets authorized in Brazil until December. Now, there are 96 companies and 210 websites on the national list, in addition to 18 companies on the state lists.
To be included, companies needed to apply for licensing by September 17th. However, the government emphasizes that state authorization decisions are the responsibility of the states themselves. See the full list here.
