Zona de Azar Brasil – Brazil: Procon-SP to Ensure Consumer Rights at Betting Companies

Brazil.- October 15, 2024 www.zonadeazar.com Procon-SP, the consumer protection agency in São Paulo, will notify all companies related to the gaming and betting supply chain. This includes betting companies and payment service providers.

The initiative aims to understand what measures are being implemented to reimburse consumers who had their funds withheld after the recent suspension imposed by the Ministry of Finance.

A list of more than 2,000 domains, including affiliate and media sites, began being blocked last Friday (11). According to the government, no solution has been considered yet to resolve this issue.

Responsibility of platforms and payment companies

About 35 consumers have already filed complaints with Procon-SP, reporting the non-refund of amounts they had deposited to use on gaming platforms.

The agency advises all affected individuals to file a complaint in their respective cities. This step is crucial for authorities to make an accurate assessment and determine the next course of action.

Procon-SP states that, even with the official suspension of activities, the platforms remain responsible for customer service. Therefore, they must refund active users’ credits during the suspension.

Additionally, payment service providers may also be held liable for refunds, depending on the specific analysis of each case.

Beyond this immediate issue, Procon-SP plans to send a letter to the Attorney General’s Office (AGU) and the Ministry of Finance, specifically the Secretariat for Prizes and Betting.

The goal is to express concern about the possibility of platforms creating new domains to continue operating illegally.

Procon-SP to ensure consumer rights

Luiz Orsatti Filho, executive director of Procon-SP, emphasizes the importance of consumer protection. He points out that the defense of consumer rights is guaranteed by Federal Law No. 8.078/90, the Consumer Protection Code.

“This includes the joint and strict liability of all suppliers who profit or gain advantages through business activities,” he explained.

It is essential that all consumers affected by this situation seek their rights and stay informed on how to proceed. Procon-SP’s actions are crucial to defending user interests.

Edited by: @_fonta www.zonadeazar.com