A scandal has erupted in Brazil following the accreditation of four online sports betting companies by the authorities of Rio de Janeiro, allowing them to operate legally across the country. This move has raised concerns of circumventing national legislation and has sparked outrage within the government.
The Ministry of Finance, led by Fernando Haddad, expressed its intention to address the violation of the law, although concrete actions have yet to be taken. Haddad has been overseeing the federal regulation of the country's betting industry since last year, amidst efforts to legalize and regulate the sector.
Last year, the government issued a temporary measure, subsequently enacted into law, outlining general guidelines for bookmaker accreditation and tax regulations. However, the former president, Jair Bolsonaro, failed to implement comprehensive regulations for the betting market, leaving the sector in a state of uncertainty.
The accreditation of bookmakers in Rio de Janeiro has reignited debate over the need for consistent and comprehensive national regulations to govern the gambling industry in Brazil, highlighting the challenges and complexities inherent in the process.
