Illegal bets will be taken down little by little, says Haddad – 10/01/2024 – Market

Minister Fernando Haddad (Finance) stated this Tuesday (1st) that the sending of irregular sports betting companies – bets – to be blocked by Anatel (National Telecommunications Agency) must be done gradually. “We are unable to scan the entire internet in a short period of time.”

Haddad also stated that he recommended to the Secretary of Prizes and Bets of the Ministry of Finance, Régis Dudena, that companies that do not meet the requirements of the notice be excluded from the list of bets authorized to operate in Brazil until December.

“He is working on this list now. And, as I said, as he is having to justify the eventual rejection, he has to do it in a robust way from a legal point of view to avoid problems,” he said. The publication of the list, he stated, is still scheduled for this Tuesday.

Haddad said earlier that it is urgent to take steps to restrict advertising by sports betting houses – bets – on television and in other media.

The issue of bets was discussed this Tuesday by the head of the economic team in a meeting with representatives from Conar (Advertising Self-Regulation Council) and Abert (Brazilian Association of Radio and Television Broadcasters) and AIR (International Broadcasting Association).

“We understand that it is urgent to take measures to avoid this harassment on television and in the media,” he stated.

After the meeting, the president of Abert, Flávio de Lara Resende, said that it was agreed at the meeting that only advertisements for bets on the list of those authorized by the Treasury will be broadcast.

“Under no circumstances will we advertise companies that are not regular,” he told reporters after the meeting.

Haddad said that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) tends to veto the use of the Bolsa Família card for online betting, but that he will still listen to the ministers’ position on the issue before making a decision.

“It’s a decision that won’t be exclusive to the Treasury, it will involve other ministers too, because it’s important for them to speak out about this. […] The president [Lula] is inclined not to allow [uso do cartão do Bolsa Família]. But he will listen to the ministers”, he stated.