Legislation
Brazil – Sports betting bill progressing through committee stages
By James - 23 October 2023
The Sports Commission (CEsp) of the Brazilian Senate has issued an opinion on the sports betting bill. The document was written up by Senator Romário rapporteur of the bill in the CEsp in the senate.
The 27-page document keeps in place the five-year period for the sports betting license, maintains the cost of R$30 million and guarantees the exploitation of two brands by bookmakers that apply for a license. It also keeps in place the 18% rate on GGR but rearranges slightly how funds will be distributed between different government bodies and departments.
In his report, Romário put forward the prohibition of betting on isolated events during matches, such as corners, throw-ins and penalties in order to curb match fixing.
During the meeting, a number of senators demonstrated their opposition to the approval of the government’s bill and asked for a public hearing on the report, which should take place this week, as the vote on the document presented by the president of CEsp will take place on the 25th.
Brazil’s sports betting bill has begun its evaluation period in both the Committee on Economic Affairs (CAE) and the Sports Committee (CEsp) in the senate. The proposal was marked by the government as urgent, with an expiration date set for the beginning of November. Discussion over the bill in the CAE meanwhile was postponed last Tuesday, 17th after a senator opposed to the approval of sports betting asked the CAE to hold a public hearing to debate the topic before the matter was considered by the committee. The public hearing was held last week.
During the hearing José Francisco Manssur, special advisor to the Treasury defended the approval of the sports betting bill. According to Manssur, the sector needs to be regulated to prevent the industry from operating without paying taxes, which he said was highly unfair.
After approval by both committees, the sports betting bill will be reviewed in the senate plenary by a new rapporteur, with adjustments made to both reports. The vice-president of the CEsp, Jorge Kajuru, will be the rapporteur of the final document as it heads through the senate.
