IBJR – and Loterj – come out fighting amid growing Brazil betting backlash
The Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming (IBJR) has today (4 October) responded to a growing backlash against legal betting with a manifesto entitled “To play, there must be rules”.
With the legal betting market in Brazil set to launch on 1 January 2025, the IBJR has launched its new manifesto which aims to promote player protection and regulation, supported by a major media blitz.
The manifesto has featured on the cover of today’s edition of a number of major Brazilian newspapers, including Folha and O Globo.
The IBJR claims to represent 75% of the Brazilian betting market, counting the likes of Bet365, Flutter and Entain among its members.
The IBJR’s manifesto again reiterates its dedication towards ensuring a “clean” betting industry in Brazil. “Our goal is to promote all efforts to develop a sustainable, safe, reliable online betting ecosystem that generates benefits for the entire society,” the IBJR said.
IBJR focusing on four fronts in Brazil
In the manifesto, the IBJR outlined four fronts in particular on which it is working to ensure a safe environment for bettors in Brazil.
It is first advocating for the strict enforcement of regulations, with increased dialogue between IBJR and the government to benefit the sector with shared learnings.
Advertising, which has been one of the more controversial aspects of regulation, is another of the IBJR’s areas of focus. The association points to its advertising guidelines as a way of pushing operators towards marketing appropriately.
Additionally, the IBJR is emphasising the importance of the gambling sector in Brazil making a positive contribution towards the economy and sports in regards to taxes, claiming the industry should be “generating benefits for society as a whole”.
The IBJR noted its members’ contributions towards sports in Brazil, particularly the “significant long-term investments” made to the country’s most popular sport of football.
Finally, the IBJR again reiterated its desire to see responsible gambling promoted in Brazil with all bets placed consciously and with respect for players’ own financial and emotional limits.
In September, the body revealed all of its members had agreed to expedite the ban on credit cards for betting, with the industry-wide prohibition set to only come in from 1 January 2025.
The Loterj response
Following the publication of the IBJR manifesto, the Rio de Janeiro State Lottery (Loterj) issued a release of its own surrounding responsible gambling.
In the release, which includes executives’ quotes from a number of Loterj licensees, the regulator outlined how its licensed brands are promoting a “safe and conscious” environment for gambling in Brazil.
Loterj claims its licensees must adhere to the best international policies in regards to aspects such as complaint practices and responsible gaming programmes.
Notably, it also defended its policies on money laundering and terrorism financing. These have come under fire in recent months amid an ongoing court battle between Loterj and the federal government over the legality of the state regulator’s licensed brands to operate throughout Brazil beyond Rio de Janeiro state borders.
Back in April, the IBJR claimed Loterj was acting beyond its jurisdiction by accrediting operators for nationwide activities.
Loterj president Hazenclever Lopes Cancado says: “We have established modern and rigorous requirements for the accreditation of betting houses, ensuring a safe environment, where responsible gaming practices play a crucial role in protecting bettors.”
IBJR and Loterj respond to growing criticism of gambling in Brazil
The IBJR and Loterj have each come out fighting amid growing criticism of the betting sector in Brazil, with less than two months remaining until the legal market launch.
The rising pressure has been influenced by the release of multiple surveys highlighting potential issues stemming from gambling in Brazil.
In August, market research firm Hibou conducted a survey that found 10% of the Brazilian population had faced financial difficulties related to gambling.
Subsequently, a contentious study by the Brazilian Society of Retail and Consumption (SBVC) revealed that among Brazilians who allocate part of their salary to gambling each month, 23% had stopped buying clothes, while 11% had reduced their spending on healthcare and medication.
Last week, Brazil’s ministry of justice and public security (MJSP) revealed it had contacted 17 betting operators seeking clarification over their plans to protect at-risk consumers.
Through the National Consumer Secretariat (Senacon), the MJSP requested that companies provide detailed information regarding advertising, bonuses, and measures to restrict access by minors to betting in Brazil.
