Legislação

Brasil – Transferência da regulamentação das apostas esportivas para o Ministério da Justiça pode causar mais atrasos

A ministro da Justiça has claimed as part of its portfolio the regulation of sports betting. The regulation of sports betting until now was has come under the responsibility of the Ministério da Economia. The information was revealed to local news portal VEJA by companies working in the sector. The transfer of responsibility from one ministry to another could delay the process until 2023.

The government of President Jair Bolsonaro has until December 12 of this year to finalize the process of regulating sports betting in Brazil, according to the law enacted by then President Michel Temer on December 12, 2018. Lei número 13,756 exige que o Ministério das Finanças (atual Ministério da Economia) promova a regulamentação das apostas desportivas no prazo de quatro anos. O projeto de lei visa angariar receitas adicionais para o governo através da iluminação verde das apostas desportivas e deu ao Ministério das Finanças inicialmente apenas dois anos para colocar as apostas desportivas em funcionamento (embora isto possa ser prorrogado por mais dois).

Delays look likely either way. While Bolsonaro went on record recently saying that the sports betting bill was nearing completion its approval will be hampered by a more conservative National Congress as the country’s conservative bloc made significant gains in a Congress that it already dominates during the recent election. Currently, both the National Congress’ senate and chamber of deputies are controlled by allies of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro. Both belong group of centre-right—and some right wing—politicians called the ‘Centrao,’ or ‘Big Center.

However, If Lula is elected then the bill could be abandoned altogether as leftist Lula is far more likely to give state owned monopoly holder CAIXA more control over the gambling industry as opposed to the private sector. In addition there will likely be no movement on the bill this month due to the Presidential elections and the government goes into recess on Dezembro 22nd.