Zona de Azar Brazil – Loterj: Blocking of Betting Sites Lifted in Rio de Janeiro

Brazil.- August 14, 2024 www.zonadeazar.com Judge Pablo Zúñiga Dourado, of Chamber 11 of the Federal Regional Court 1 (TRF1), lifted the block on betting sites that operated without a license from the State Lottery of Rio de Janeiro (LOTERJ).

After the initial decision of the TRF1, which blocked the operation of the platforms, the National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL) issued a note alleging that the blocking determination occurred without the companies being heard and highlighted a “dangerous scenario.” legal uncertainty.”

The court recognized that the granting of the precautionary measure did not consider the period provided by Federal Law No. 14,790/2023 for the adaptation of betting houses to obtaining licenses so that they can operate legally in the Brazilian market.

In this way, Dourado affirmed that Ordinance No. 827, published by the Ministry of Finance in May of this year, and the law, sanctioned by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at the end of last year, guarantee a transition period so that companies submit the application for authorization to operate in Brazil.

“In this context, considering the transition period consisting of granting authorization until 12/31/2024 for companies that submit the authorization request within ninety days, as well as the attribution of the Ministry of Finance to grant authorizations, It does not seem reasonable to uphold the decision that determined the suspension of fixed-odds betting lottery activities that were in disagreement with current legislation, especially since they are covered by the aforementioned period,” Dourado said during the decision.

For Plínio Lemos Jorge, president of the ANJL, the measure adopted by the judge is “a victory for the entire sector.”

“Hundreds of online betting and gaming companies have had their operations interrupted since the end of July, affecting thousands of players. Access is blocked even outside the limits of the State of Rio de Janeiro. This decision brings relief to the entire sector and reinforces the commitment of the Judiciary to the legal security of our country,” commented the president of the ANJL.

Loterj’s request to block betting sites

Last June, the Federal Regional Court 1 (TRF1) of Brasilia partially upheld the lawsuit of the Rio de Janeiro State Lottery (Loterj) that seeks to authorize the National Telecommunications Agency (ANATEL) to verify whether operators online gaming and betting companies in Rio de Janeiro have legitimacy to operate in the state, thus determining the suspension of the activities of those that do not have a license granted by the municipality.

Edited: @_fonta www.zonadeazar.com