The Minister of Finance, Fernando Haddad, appointed lawyer Regis Dudena to lead the Prizes and Bets Secretariat. Dudena is expected to take office next week.
Dudena is a close collaborator of Dario Durigan, executive secretary of the Treasury. Both worked together in the Special Secretariat for Legal Affairs of the Civil House during Dilma Rousseff’s government.
Dudena’s appointment is attributed to the second in the Treasury hierarchy, as determined by Poder360.
Duties of the Prizes and Betting Secretariat
Dudena has a solid career in public and regulatory law, as well as infrastructure. He also served as legal manager for the National Association of Rail Transporters (ANTF).
In January, the Ministry of Treasury created the Prizes and Bets Secretariat. Thus, among its functions is the regulation and monitoring of the sports betting market, known as “bets“, and online games.
The duties of the Prizes and Bets Secretariat have been targeted by Centrão and resulted in the downfall of José Francisco Manssur, until then special advisor to the Executive Secretariat of the Ministry of Treasury. Manssur assisted in drafting the rules that regulated the sports betting sector in Brazil.
The regulation of sports betting is of great importance for several reasons:
- High standards. Regulation establishes strict standards for the operation of betting houses, so only serious and ethical companies will be able to operate in the market.
- Consumer Protection. Regulation protects consumer rights. This way, it ensures that they have a safe and fair environment to place their bets.
- Prevention of Illegal Activities. Regulation helps prevent illicit activities, such as match-fixing.
- Stimulating the Economy. Regulating sports betting could boost the economy. In other words, it can generate new jobs and contribute to the country’s development.
- Integrity of Sporting Events. It can help ensure the integrity of sporting events, preventing manipulation of bets and game results.
Furthermore, the Prizes and Betting Secretariat intends to generate significant annual revenue for public coffers. Government projections estimate something between R$12 billion and R$15 billion.