Michelle Ramalho participated in a panel on electronic games and online betting on the 2nd day of the 14th Lisbon Forum
The vice-president of the CBF, Michelle Ramalho, declared this Tuesday (June 2, 2026) that “many ignorant people say that betting has to end, but betting is as much a victim as the federations”.
The statement was made during a panel on electronic games and online betting, held on the 2nd day of the 14th São Paulo Forum. Also participated Alexandre Fonseca, CEO of Superbet Apostas Esportivas, and Guilherme Figueiredo, director of Public Affairs at Betano Brasil, Kaizen Gaming.
“Today we can no longer talk about football without bets. We have to demystify this label that many talk about as if bets were the author of match manipulations. […] What is the bet that will want that game to be rigged?”declared Ramalho.
The vice-president of the CBF stated that regulated betting houses are “victims of these wrong labels” and that companies like Superbet and Betano “they are doing a very serious job”.
“It is very important to classify betting houses that are not legal. We do not have a strict law for this. And it is not fair to those who are legal, doing everything right, to compete with illegal houses. […] Congress needs to open its eyes to this”these.
Alexandre Fonseca, from Superbet, said that attributing the debt of Brazilian families to the betting segment is not supported by data. “The female and low-income public is among the most indebted. Our client is mostly male and has a higher income. The main source of debt is credit cards and we do not accept them. The illegal market accepts them, but the regulated market only accepts Pix”he stated.
“Every problem in Brazilian society is attributed to betting. But betting is not a new phenomenon, it was just regulated. And regulation in Brazil works”he completed.
Guilherme Figueiredo, from Betano Brasil, commented on government programs, such as Bolsa Família and Desenrola, which use tools such as easy recognition to prevent beneficiaries from placing bets online. He highlighted that these are important measures, even if the bets are not related to debt.
Figueiredo also mentioned that “a Responsible Gaming ordinance is an example for Latin America” and asked politicians and influencers to defend the regular market in Brazil.
“We are suffering an attack from several sectors because we are all in the same basket. But either you defend legalized gambling or you will be defending illegal gambling”he declared.
14TH LISBON FORUM
The theme of this year’s Lisbon Forum is “New international order, technology and sovereignty: democratic, economic and social challenges”. All debates will be held from June 1st to 3rd at .
The event will be attended by names such as Gabriel Galípolo, president of the Central Bank, Magda Chambriard, president of Petrobras, and Aloízio Mercadante, president of the National Bank for Economic and Social Development.
The total number of participants at the Lisbon Forum increased from 360 in 2025 to 450 in 2026. It is a record for the event. But the total number of Brazilian authorities fell compared to last year – the only exception is in the Legislature, which will have 2 more congressmen this year. The change in approach to the meeting’s central theme, , is the reason why there are more speakers from other countries and not just Brazil and Portugal.
The 14th Lisbon Forum the High Patronage of the Presidency of the Portuguese Republic, given by the Portuguese president to initiatives, events, congresses, projects or celebrations that are considered to be of special public interest, civic, cultural, scientific, social or economic relevance for Portugal.
It is not about providing financing or material support. It is a seal of recognition and institutional prestige.
The distinction, according to the organization of the event, “recognizes the institutional, academic and civic relevance of the event, as well as its contribution to strengthening democratic debate and reflection on contemporary challenges faced by Portugal, Brazil and the international community”.
Read more about the 1st day of the 14th Lisbon Forum:
