Legislation

Brazil – Match fixing inquiry recommends changes to sports betting law

By James - 25 September 2023

Deputy Felipe Carreras rapporteur of the Parliamentary Inquiry Commission (CPI) into match fixing in football, has put forward proposed changes to sports legislation and betting regulations.

“It has become clear that Brazilian football (and sport in general) is very exposed to the criminal practice of manipulating results, due to the growth of the sports betting market. This is, in fact, a challenge to be faced by several countries”, he said talking to the Brazilian House news agency (Agência Câmara de Notícias), “The ongoing work in these bodies is at an advanced stage of investigation,” he said.

After nine public hearings and hearings from players and representatives from bookmakers, the government and the Brazilian Football Confederation, the lawmaker said that he had prepared four bills, which come attached to the CPI’s preliminary report.

“One of the legislative measures concerns the obligation, under penalty of criminal liability, for managers, directors or coaches of clubs to report to the competent authorities the practice of the crime of sports corruption, when they become aware of it,” he said.

“The legal gap today creates an environment conducive to impunity and the perpetuation of these practices. Stakeholders within the sport are the first to know, but, as they are not forced to report it, they may choose to remain silent, whether for fear of reprisals, collusion or other reasons.”

Two other initiatives deal with the regulation of sports betting. One criminalizes the conduct of those who act without government authorization. The other limits the scope of bets – which would be restricted to the result of the game or the number of goals – and financially punishes bettors involved in fraud.

The fourth bill sets out rules whereby penalties would be proportional and consistent with the principle of equality.

The rapporteur also asked that the CPI’s opinion be sent to the Brazilian Football Confederation and the government with an eye to Brazil signing the Macolin Convention. The Macolin Convention, which entered into force in September 2019, is the only rule of international law on the manipulation of sports competitions and is implemented by public authorities in co-operation with national and international stakeholders.