AtlasIntel Survey Finds 75% Support Ban on Online Betting in Brazil

The government has been considering a provisional measure that could impose major new restrictions on the regulated market, while a new survey from AtlasIntel/Bloomberg indicates that 75% of Brazilian adults back the ban on online betting. The survey included 5,015 adults from September 17-22 and has a margin of error of +/- 1% at a 95% confidence level.

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There was a rise of 6 percent in support for a ban, and a drop of 4 percent in opposition. An additional 8% neither agreed nor disagreed. The survey also showed that 59.9% feel that the disadvantages of betting outweigh the advantages to society, and a further 28.6% felt that there were more disadvantages than advantages.

Taxation and Advertising Also Face Support for Restrictions

The survey suggests that more than a mere ban, they are in favor of stricter measures. 79% of respondents felt betting companies should be limited in their betting advertising, while 84% felt that betting companies should pay more taxes. Additionally, 88% opposed the notion that wagering should be considered as a secondary line of work or a type of investment.

The institutions and governments were also responsible for the growth of online betting. Some 36% blamed Lula’s government, 25.4% Bolsonaro’s, and 16.5% Congress as the main responsible for the situation. These figures are based on how people perceive the responsibility and do not equate responsibility based on the survey.

Government Considers Three Regulatory Options

The survey is of interest because President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s government is mulling three alternative routes via a provisional measure. The first would increase the limits on advertising of bets, the second would join the limits but also ban online forms of games that are played much like a casino, and the third would ban online betting altogether, according to UOL columnist Daniela Lima.

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The issue is still going on within the government with varying views as to the extent and impact of the measures. Lula has voiced his support for closing down betting operations, while the government is weighing the impact on the current licensed operators and football clubs and other businesses linked to the regulated market.

Debate Continues Over the Future of the Regulated Market

The process of preparing the measure has also sparked doubts about the role of Brazil’s betting regulator and the future of the regulated system. There has been some reporting of increased measures being considered by the government and possible legal issues and implications for licensed operators.

Also up for discussion is the prospect of bettors migrating to illegal sites if legal betting is banned. That’s not only a problem of the survey results; it also concerns consumer protection, taxation, advertisements, enforcement, and the relationship between regulated and illegal betting markets in Brazil.

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Source: SBC Noticias