Zona de Azar Brasil – Anatel: Blocking of Irregular Online Betting Sites Is Not Possible

Brazil – November 14, 2024, www.zonadeazar.com. Carlos Baigorri, president of the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel), stated that it is not possible to guarantee the blocking of irregular online betting sites. According to him, additional technological tools would be required, and most importantly, a change in legislation to penalize companies operating in the parallel market.

Baigorri highlighted, during a public hearing at the Supreme Federal Court (STF), that these sites have many “ways to bypass” such restrictions: “Today, the Brazilian state cannot guarantee that this blocking will be effective.”

For the president, “the situation in the market is set.” Betting sites and apps will continue to exist, even if the Betting Law is revoked. According to Baigorri, the government will need to have tools to ensure compliance with industry standards.

Additionally, Baigorri emphasized the need to strengthen Anatel’s power to improve the efficiency of blocking irregular platforms. He mentioned that a bill (PL) has already been submitted to the Senate proposing changes.

Legal Competencies of Anatel

Currently, Anatel has legal authority to issue orders, oversee, and penalize telecommunications agents.

In October of this year, the Ministry of Finance requested Anatel to block more than two thousand betting sites that were not in compliance with legislation. Some of these companies created alternative platforms to continue operating in the country.

For Baigorri, online betting sites “are agents of the digital ecosystem that are completely outside the regulatory, oversight, normative, and sanctioning power of the Brazilian state.”

Editor: @_fonta www.zonadeazar.com