Zona de Azar Brasil – Brazil: Unauthorized Use of Trademark and Players in Betting House Advertisements

Brazil.- February 14, 2025 – www.zonadeazar.com América Futebol Clube, a team from Propriá, in Sergipe, has filed a lawsuit in Federal Court against the unauthorized use of its trademark and players in advertisements for betting sites. The case has been pending in the 9th Federal Court since late January, as reported by CartaCapital.

João Gabriel Azevedo, the club’s lawyer, believes that betting houses do not “meet the club’s ethical and moral requirements” and argues that the unauthorized use of the team’s name and image constitutes “commercial exploitation that violates image rights laws and ethical principles.” Additionally, he considers that the impact of gambling can be devastating for players and fans.

“They are using the club’s name and players in betting houses without any authorization from us, without any document. This is an abuse of image rights. Today, in Brazil, betting is regulated, yet this still happens. América has never received money from betting houses. Someone is making money, the betting companies are profiting; América is not,” Azevedo stated.

The lawsuit does not single out any particular betting house but directs the legal action to the Ministry of Finance. Recently, the SPA authorized 37 betting companies to operate in the country for five years.

Currently, the betting market generates billions of reais annually. However, the Sergipe-based team states that it has never received any funds from these companies and believes that third parties are unfairly profiting from its image. América Futebol Clube’s goal with this lawsuit is to protect its image and ensure that its brand is not exploited without authorization by betting platforms.

Edited by: @_fonta www.zonadeazar.com