Editorial | Dialogue and time to settle in | OneFootball

Central do Timão understands and respects the concern about the impacts caused by betting, especially regarding addiction, debt, and the protection of the most vulnerable people.

This is a real problem that must be addressed with responsibility, oversight, prevention, information, and effective policies to combat addiction.

But banning it, by itself, does not necessarily mean protection.

One concern that needs to be part of this debate is the illegal market, which does not simply disappear with prohibition. Without effective oversight and mechanisms capable of preventing access to clandestine platforms, there is a risk that some bettors will migrate to operators that follow no rules, pay no taxes, and offer even less consumer protection.

At the same time, it is necessary to discuss the way this change is carried out and, above all, the timeframe for a shift of this magnitude.

Clubs, federations, competitions, broadcasters, media outlets, agencies, production companies, content creators, suppliers, and thousands of professionals have organized their activities based on contracts signed when the sector was legal, regulated, and authorized by the State itself.

Central do Timão is part of this chain.

Revenue from this market was incorporated into companies’ planning and helped finance structures, content production, salaries, and jobs. An almost immediate interruption does not affect only betting companies. Its effects run through the entire sports and communications chain and may directly impact the jobs of those who depend on it.

In football, the impact also goes far beyond the brands printed on shirts. It is present in club and competition sponsorships, naming rights, advertising boards, broadcasts, the media, and different commercial properties that help finance the sport.

Other markets have adopted transition paths. In 2023, the Premier League announced the removal of betting companies from the front of shirts and set the change to take effect only after the end of the 2025/26 season, giving clubs nearly three years to adapt. In Spain, existing contracts were also given a transition period.

The Brazilian Senate itself, before the current Provisional Measure, was moving forward with discussions on strong restrictions on betting advertising and sponsorship, but with a 24-month period for the adjustment or termination of existing contracts.

The Provisional Measure published on September 25 chose a much more abrupt path, banning the activity and its advertising and establishing a short window for compliance.

It is not Central do Timão’s role to defend the continued presence of betting companies. Nor is it our role to ignore the social problems related to gambling.

What we defend is dialogue and a reasonable period for adaptation.

If Brazil has decided to change this model, clubs and companies will have to seek new revenue and reorganize their businesses. Central will do so as well.

But contracts signed within the law, jobs created, investments made, and structures built cannot be replaced overnight.

Fighting addiction is necessary. Fighting the illegal market is also necessary. And protecting people must be the priority in this discussion.

It is possible to do all of this with a responsible transition.

That is why Central do Timão argues that the Government, Congress, clubs, companies, workers, and other sectors involved should engage in dialogue about an appropriate adaptation period, in order to preserve citizen protection without ignoring the economic and social impacts of such a profound change.

See more:

Corinthians News

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.