In response to recent statements by Flamengo coach Filipe Luís and former player Diego Ribas, journalist Thiago Asmar, known as Pilhado, addressed his comments on the Bate-Pronto program, this Thursday (17), on Jovem Pan radio. Pilhado commented on his position regarding bookmakers and how the market positions itself within the sports industry.
In videos, the two former Flamengo athletes associated gambling with the cause of problems with betting schemes in football, such as the alleged case of player Bruno Henrique, from the Rio de Janeiro team itself
However, according to Asmar, all communications and advertisements directed at the public are educational. The sector’s own regulations, which came into effect on January 1, 2025, require these measures from companies
“Today, gambling educates, in the vast majority of cases. People always say that you need to play responsibly, they always say that you need to be over 18 years old, nowadays, with the regulations there is this obligation”.
Furthermore, the presenter made clear the entire structure that exists within the betting house ecosystem in Brazil. “Today, I have a big sponsor, the program does too, and today there are more than 60 thousand people employed by entertainment related to sports bookmakers in Brazil.
Furthermore, he recalled that numerous Brazilian clubs are supported by companies in this segment. In Serie A, all teams have betting agreements
“Fans need to understand. If you have a stronger team today, it’s because of the bookmakers. They also sponsor the leagues, the sports broadcasts, everyone is sponsored by the bookmakers.”
Pilhado points out that the betting market is new and still developing
Pilhado also warned that the process is still in its early stages, since the regulated market is new. He also mentioned the fact that there is a certain amount of misinformation about how regulated games work in the country.
“I believe that those who don’t gain anything from this and want to question it need to understand a little more about this situation. How many people are employed because of this, how much this market has grown, how much this market invests in Brazilian football.
Regarding the comparison made by Diego Ribas between the game and the consumption of alcoholic beverages, Pilhado was incisive
“It’s very easy to talk about a market that is still new and therefore criticized by many people, but Diego made a comparison, and I disagree. I think that alcoholic beverages are much more harmful than gambling, and everyone advertises alcoholic beverages, teams, leagues, etc. and more than 3 million people die every year because of alcohol.”
“It’s very easy to talk about a market that is still new and therefore criticized by many people, but Diego made a comparison, and I disagree. I think that alcoholic beverages are much more harmful than gambling, and everyone advertises alcoholic beverages, teams, leagues, etc. and more than 3 million people die every year because of alcohol.”
For him, the issue of educating the population is also a very important point, and responsible gaming is a banner of the regulated market in Brazil.
“I think that we need to educate people about gambling, so that they don’t lose what they can’t by gambling. But gambling as entertainment, gambling as a gigantic structure that employs thousands of people and moves a lot of money, I have nothing against it today.”
Pilhado talks about the Bruno Henrique case
However, regarding the alleged scheme involving Flamengo player Bruno Henrique, which is being investigated, Thiago Asmar made his opinion on the case clear.
“Regarding Bruno Henrique, if he is involved, the mistake is entirely his, entirely his character, not the bookmaker’s.
And he concluded: “In this type of scheme, the bookmakers are the victims, it is good to make that clear”.
Mauro Cezar also commented on the subject
Member of the same sports show on Jovem Pan, journalist and narrator Mauro Cezar also spoke out on the subject. He wrote on social media: “A person can be radically against the existence of bookmakers, against the regulation of bookmakers, against advertising by bookmakers.
What the person cannot do is try to hold the bookmakers responsible because someone may have tried to deceive the bookmakers for third-party beneficiaries. And this is regardless of whether the person in question is nice, humble, or whatever. No hypocrisy, please,” said the journalist.