Clubs defend regulated betting, warn curbs could be the ‘end of Brazilian football’ | OneFootball

Leading Brazilian clubs and state federations have issued a Thursday night manifesto defending a regulated betting market and warning that a ban on online casino games could jeopardise football’s finances.

According to Globo.com, a draft provisional measure is ready and approved, with an intention to publish by next Tuesday. A government faction is seeking to persuade President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to target only specific online games such as Tigrinho, citing harm to vulnerable families’ incomes.

The measure would revoke item two of article three of Law 14.790 of 2023, which added virtual games to fixed-odds betting. Sports betting would remain permitted. As online casino revenue forms most operators’ income, the change could render many unviable.

Betting sponsorship has become a principal revenue stream, reaching smaller clubs, lower divisions and low-profile competitions. These funds sustain administration, training centres, social projects, women’s football and youth development, often the first to be cut when income drops.

Rule changes would not end betting, rather could push consumers to illegal platforms without safeguards or tax. There is concern over an immediate fall in investment, with betting companies estimated to pay more than R$ one billion a year to Série A clubs alone.

The text was posted by the São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro federations with Palmeiras, Santos, São Paulo, Botafogo, Flamengo, Fluminense, Vasco and Cruzeiro. Clubs in São Paulo held meetings last week to coordinate a response, as the city also weighs a bill to restrict betting advertising.

Source: Globo.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”