ANJL Criticizes Brazilian Government for Excluding Regulated Betting Sector From Meeting

The National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL) has condemned the lack of a public presence at the meeting by players in the regulated sector, organized by the Brazilian government to discuss the effects of online sports betting. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva took over the chair of the meeting on September 1, which included institutions from the health, culture and economic sectors, as well as representatives of civil society and religious institutions.

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In a statement issued the day after, ANJL contended that the non-regulated operators’ lack of presence turned the discussions on the betting market into a one-sided affair. In particular, the association criticized the inclusion of groups that opposed or had reservations about betting (but not from companies operating under the regulatory framework of Brazil).

ANJL Questions the Lack of Technical Representation

The exclusion wasn’t limited to betting companies; the Ministry of Finance’s Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA), which is tasked with regulating and supervising the sector, was not included either, ANJL said.

This is a serious issue that affects the quality of the policy debate, says ANJL president, Plínio Lemos Jorge. “The association understands that any serious and responsible debate about the effects of betting platforms must necessarily include the regulated operators, who have data, technical expertise and an in-depth understanding of how the market works. Excluding this segment from the dialogue compromises the quality, impartiality and legitimacy of any decisions that may be taken,” Lemos said.

Dispute Over Data and the Existing Legal Framework

The association also called into question information presented at the meeting, saying some of the information on the effects of betting did not match official figures available. ANJL said that such important discussions should be based on facts and should involve people who would be impacted by the proposed policy.

The group also highlighted that Brazil’s regulated gambling market is based on a law that was enacted by the Brazilian Congress after a comprehensive public and institutional debate. In its opinion, any modification to the framework must be done based on an equally wide consultation process with the regulators, the regulated market and civil society, and not by discussions that are limited to a maximum of the regulated market.

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ANJL Warns of Risks to the Legal Market

In addition to the procedural issues, ANJL cautioned that policies that undermine the regulated market might end up reinforcing illegal operators. The association noted that the requirements of licensed companies include responsible gambling, protection of minors, preventing excessive indebtedness, advertising standards, and measures to combat gambling-related harm.

These safeguards do not exist on the illegal market, ANJL says. The association says banning regulated operators does not mean that there will be no betting, but that it will simply shift betting customers and money to illegal operators, which may present more chances for organized crime.

Association Calls for a New Government Meeting

ANJL also pointed out the huge economic value of the regulated bets segment, which includes jobs, investment, and contributions to sports, culture, telecommunications and television, media and other sectors, and tax revenues to the government.

The association plans to ask the federal government for a new meeting on the problems they have raised on September 1. ANJL reiterated its involvement in Brazil’s regulatory process since its inception, and its communication with the government and SPA on measures that promote consumer protection and the strengthening of the regulated market.

The discussion on online betting is not only proper and essential for ANJL but should involve all concerned. Such a situation would leave out the companies and institutions that would be required to run the legal sector, the association argues, making it difficult to get a comprehensive picture of the market and its potential effects.

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Source: BNL Data