The Senate of Brazil has started evaluating the economic and integrity risks of the country’s new federal online gambling framework.
On 1 January, Brazil officially launched its regulated online gambling market. The Ministry of Finance authorised 70 businesses to operate, with 14 licences active from day one and the rest awaiting final regulatory approval.
Authorities have appointed rapporteurs to lead two key inquiries into this sector. These investigations aim to assess the laws, standards, and protections governing Brazil’s “Bets” regime and its implications.
Senator Soraya Thronicke (Podemos-MS) leads the ‘CPI of Bets’, which will begin reviewing the economic risks linked to online gambling on 30 April. Working alongside Senator Dr Hiran Goncalves (PP-RR), she is focusing on vulnerabilities in online gambling, including financial risks and potential criminal activities.
Thronicke’s priorities include proposing measures to restrict or ban gambling by those receiving social welfare assistance. This follows alarming Central Bank data showing that beneficiaries of Bolsa Família, Brazil’s financial aid programme for low-income families, spent BRL 3bn (€500m) on gambling, as tracked via the PIX payment system.
The CPI will also investigate how the Bets regime facilitates money laundering, tax evasion, and organised crime. Thronicke plans to summon individuals for questioning, including digital influencers accused of promoting illegal gambling websites and scams.
In her remarks, Thronicke revealed facing harassment and threats, which she attributed partly to being a woman. Despite these challenges, she declared, “Even with attempts to undermine the committee’s image, we will see this through to the end. Our goal is to minimise the harm caused by this activity, which directly affects thousands of Brazilians.”
Betting Corruption Investigation
The Senate also received an update on the ‘CPI of Integrity’, which is investigating match-fixing in Brazilian football involving players, managers, and betting companies. This inquiry, sanctioned before the Bets regime’s launch, is led by Senator Romario (PL-RJ) as rapporteur and Senator Jorge Kajuru (PSB-GO) as chair.
The CPI will begin questioning individuals accused of manipulating matches and compromising sports integrity when government authorities return from recess on 2 February.
Romario and Kajuru have summoned businessman William Rogatto, nicknamed the “king of relegation,” and his associate Thiago Chambó. Both are linked to match-fixing scandals that have damaged the reputation of Brazil’s professional football leagues.
Rogatto, arrested in November by Interpol in Dubai, will testify after his extradition to Brazil. Senator Kajuru highlighted the importance of Rogatto’s testimony, noting that he has promised to hand over evidence, including a computer with information about key individuals involved in the schemes.
Chambó is also under investigation for his role in sports betting fraud. He failed to appear before the CPI in December, leading Kajuru to request his arrest. His absence was seen as an attempt to avoid scrutiny.
Romario and Kajuru are committed to recommending stronger measures to safeguard Brazilian sports against corruption and improving oversight of sports integrity and match manipulation.
