The main football clubs in the country defended, this Tuesday (12), in the Federal Supreme Court (STF), Law 14,790/2023, a rule that regulated fixed-odd online betting, – the so-called “bets”.
A manifesto signed by 30 clubs was read during a public hearing called by the Court to hear arguments from experts on the effects of the proliferation of betting on the economy and the mental health of bettors.
During the discussion, Fluminense’s lawyer, André Sica, read a statement on behalf of 30 football clubs to defend the betting market. According to figures presented by the teams, around 75% of Brazilian teams are sponsored by betting houses.
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For Sica, the law regulated the betting market, brought rights and obligations to bets and created protection measures for bettors and clubs.
“The financial flow offers a crucial alternative for clubs to invest in paying off debts, hiring players, contributing to the competitiveness of Brazilian football, both in South America and on the global stage”, he argued.
Lawyer Antonio Carlos de Almeida Castro, known as Kakay, spoke for Cruzeiro and stated that the suspension of betting operations would represent the “end of football” in the country. Without sponsorship from the betting market, clubs cannot survive, especially small teams, said Kakay.
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“Without bets, football does not exist in Brazil. If an injunction suspended betting today, the Brazilian championship would end,” he stated.
Jonas Decorte Marmello, Botafogo’s lawyer, said that the entry of betting sponsorship caused an increase in the number of paying fans in stadiums and in the number of Brazilian team titles in the Copa Libertadores da América.
“It is clear that this is not a mere coincidence. The injection of capital brought by sports betting houses allowed the Brazilian football industry to strengthen and maintain its talents for longer”, he commented.
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Consumer
During the hearing, economist Ione Amorim, representative of the Brazilian Institute for Consumer Protection (Idec), stated that the current regulation of the sector is “weak and slow”. Ione also cited reports of gamblers who lost money, got into debt and committed suicide.
According to a survey carried out by Idec, the main complaints from consumers against gaming platforms involve blocking accounts without justification, failure to pay balances receivable and reports of addiction and dependency.
“Betting and electronic games are much more focused on exploiting luck, with false promises of quick wins, than on leisure and entertainment”, he emphasized.
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Audience
The process that motivates the debate was filed with the Court by the National Confederation of Commerce in Goods, Services and Tourism (CNC). Minister Luiz Fux is the rapporteur.
The entity questions Law 14,790/2023, a rule that regulated fixed-odd online betting. In the Direct Action of Unconstitutionality (Adin), the CNC says that the legislation, by promoting the practice of gambling, causes negative impacts on less favored social classes. Furthermore, the entity cites the growth in household debt.
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(With Agência Brasil)
