The Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming (IBJR) wants to express its full support for the recent comments made by Finance Minister Fernando Haddad in his CBN interview regarding the government’s plans to regulate the betting industry in Brazil. The four main areas he highlighted are critical for correcting the imbalances in the unregulated market and protecting Brazilian society, as outlined below.
First, blocking websites that refuse to comply with regulations is a vital step for the health of the betting market. Taking down platforms operating outside the law is a firm and necessary action, one that IBJR supports without hesitation.
Regarding payment methods, the government’s move to ban the use of credit cards and Bolsa Família funds for betting transactions is a clear response to concerns about the indebtedness of vulnerable populations. IBJR members have already voluntarily committed to banning credit card transactions on their platforms.
We also fully support any government initiative to stop the use of Bolsa Família subsidies for gambling. IBJR and its members are committed to responsible gaming and will strictly follow federal regulations, which require operators to assess bettors’ financial capacity and ensure their spending aligns with their income. This is a key pillar of a strong regulatory framework.
Our members are deeply committed to safeguarding vulnerable groups and minors, actively promoting a safe and regulated betting environment. We’re ready to embrace the new era of regulated gaming that starts on January 1st and will fully comply with all government measures aimed at ensuring responsible gaming across the country.
However, we believe there is a need to rethink the proposed restrictions on Pix, which was designed to lower transaction costs. Blocking its use doesn’t seem to help with controlling debt and may, in fact, benefit sectors that charge higher fees, such as TED transfers, imposing unnecessary costs on consumers.
As for monitoring bets through CPF (Brazil’s individual taxpayer registry), the current regulatory framework already includes mechanisms to protect vulnerable players. We’re ready to collaborate with the government, sharing global best practices to create a safer and healthier betting environment.
In terms of advertising, we agree that regulation is necessary, especially when it comes to unregulated operators who often bypass legal guidelines. Banning ads for the unregulated market is a critical step to avoid promoting uncontrolled gambling and protect the public from invasive and excessive advertising.
In conclusion, we stand firmly behind the government’s efforts and are ready to collaborate in developing policies that protect consumers and strengthen the legal betting market in Brazil. Lastly, we want to remind everyone that betting is a form of entertainment driven by unpredictability, with no guaranteed financial returns.