Zona de Azar Brazil – Blocking Illegal Betting Sites to Be Discussed at a Hearing This Tuesday

Brazil, December 3, 2024  www.zonadeazar.com How does the blocking of illegal sports betting sites work? This question may be addressed this Tuesday (3), starting at 2:30 PM, during a meeting of the Parliamentary Inquiry Commission on the Manipulation of Games and Sports Betting. The commission will hear from Gesilea Fonseca Teles, superintendent of enforcement at the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel), with the aim of understanding the agency’s strategies to combat the operation of irregular betting houses.

The testimony was requested by the committee’s rapporteur, Senator Romário (PL-RJ). He states that the country faces technical difficulties in blocking illegal sites.

Ministry of Finance Ordinance 1,475/2024 anticipated the possibility of blocking betting houses that did not undergo the proper authorization process. As of October 1, 2024, the ordinance prohibits fixed-odds lottery betting by legal entities not authorized by the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA).

“It is known, however, that there are technical difficulties in carrying out the blocking and preventing the return of illegal sites to operation. Among other challenges, there is the issue of using virtual private networks (VPNs) to bypass the blocks. In this context, the commission intends to hear from the president of Anatel about the agency’s plans to ensure the effectiveness of the legislation and protect consumers from the actions of illegal betting houses,” argues Romário.

Research
The commission will also hear from Renato de Oliveira Meirelles, president of the Locomotiva Institute. He was invited to explain the findings of a qualitative study on the demographic and psychographic profile of sports betting consumers. The study indicates that, in just the last six months, approximately 25 million Brazilians started engaging in sports betting.

Romário emphasizes that, according to the research, “another concerning statistic is that 45% of Brazilians who participate in online sports betting—equivalent to 23 million people—say it has already caused them financial losses. Additionally, 37% of respondents state they have used money intended for more important purposes to make online bets.” Renato Meirelles’ testimony was also requested by the senator.

Requests
In addition to the testimonies, the commission is expected to vote on several requests, including one calling for the summoning of businessman Ede Vicente Ferreira Junior, who is under investigation for alleged involvement in football-related fraud. Ede Vicente is one of the targets of Operation VAR, launched by the Consumer Crimes Division in Rio de Janeiro. The operation investigates match-fixing in the Carioca Championship games, particularly in Series B matches, involving irregular bets originating in Asia.

Source: Senate Agency
Edited by: @_fonta – www.zonadeazar.com