In an official publication from the Official Gazette of the Union, the Brazilian government has designated a new leader to steer the nation’s betting regulatory framework. Lawyer Dudena has been confirmed to take the helm of the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA), a pivotal move signed by Rui Costa, the government’s chief of staff. With the country on the cusp of implementing comprehensive betting regulations following the enactment of Bill 3,626/2023, Dudena’s role is set to be critical in shaping the future of Brazil’s betting scene.
Prior to his appointment, Dudena accrued substantial experience in the fields of regulatory and public law, which includes a significant tenure as the legal manager for the National Association of Railway Carriers (ANTF). His professional trajectory has also been marked by a close collaborative relationship with Dario Durigan, the executive secretary of Brazil’s treasury. The two previously worked in tandem during the presidency of Dilma Rousseff.
As the new overseer of the SPA, a ministry of finance body, Dudena’s list of responsibilities now includes orchestrating the regulatory structure for the betting sector. This will encompass the publication of upcoming regulations designed to govern this industry. Before Dudena’s appointment, Simone Vincentini was acting in the capacity of deputy secretary, as the SPA was operating without a formally designated head.
The push towards regulation in Brazil has been gaining momentum, especially after President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva signed Bill 3,626/2023 into law in December of the previous year. Seeking to establish a regulated and responsible betting environment, the Brazilian ministry of finance and the SPA recently unveiled new rules encapsulated within Normative Ordinance No. 615. This new framework prohibits betting operators from accepting wagers made via credit cards or any form of cryptocurrency.
As part of a strategic four-stage rollout, Brazil aims to fully implement the betting regulation by the end of July 2024. The initial phase, which is currently in progress, is dedicated to solidifying payment mechanisms, ensuring security, and fine-tuning technology infrastructures. The subsequent phase will see the SPA publish comprehensive policies on fraud prevention, incorporating measures to thwart money laundering and counter-terrorism financing. Phase three will zero in on the protocols surrounding advertising, alongside continuous emphasis on technology and security considerations.
The culmination of this extensive process, stage four, will focus on establishing channels for the betting industry to support socially responsible causes. Moreover, it was also disclosed earlier in April that any advertising pertaining to sports betting within Brazil would require compliance with the thorough regulations set by the ministry of finance. In alignment with these stipulations, the Brazil Football Confederation’s (CBF) General Competition Regulations for the 2024 edition now dictate that all advertising must fall within the specified guidelines to eradicate illegal operators from advertising and to ban any unfounded claims regarding winning probabilities.
In addition to these measures, advertising that portrays gambling as a way out of financial predicaments or suggests it as a pursuit endorsed by society is strictly forbidden. Another stride towards responsible advertising includes the prohibition of utilizing celebrities or influential personalities to promote gambling products, thereby reducing the potential for undue influence on the public’s betting habits.
With Dudena at the forefront of these sweeping regulatory changes, Brazil is poised to navigate the complex landscape of legalized betting. The country’s transition towards a regulated market is expected to bolster consumer protection, ensure fairness, and instill a robust framework that will govern the exciting yet challenging domain of betting operations.
