SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
The Secretariat for Prizes and Betting (SPA) has established a new ‘strategic unit’ to oversee the fiscal compliance and licensing obligations of operators authorised to participate in the Brazil Bets market.
The unit, named ‘GTI-Bets’, has been formed through a cooperative arrangement with the Federal Revenue Service. As detailed by SBC Notícias Brazil: “GTI-Bets aims to monitor the behaviour of the online gaming and sports betting sector concerning fiscal compliance and the maintenance of requirements for authorised legal entities.”
Beyond its monitoring role, the unit will support Brazilian authorities and investigative bodies in identifying illegal activities that threaten the integrity of the Bets market, including money laundering, criminal transactions, and unlicensed operations.
The Federal Revenue Service supported the creation of GTI-Bets to enhance tax efficiencies related to the period before authorisation for entities operating within the Bets market.
GTI-Bets will comprise three members, with appointments made by the Subsecretariat for Auditing of the Federal Revenue Service (SUFIS), the General Coordination for Research and Investigation of the Federal Revenue Service, and the SPA. The representative of Sufis will coordinate the group’s activities.
The unit will operate for six months, with the possibility of extension by decision of the secretaries. Bi-monthly reports will be submitted to the Secretariats, along with a final conclusive report at the end of the task force’s mandate.
The ordinance, signed by Robinson Sakiyama Barreirinhas (Deputy of the Ministry of Finance) and SPA President Regis Dudena, came into effect on Wednesday, 8 January.
SPA’s extends collaborative efforts to monitor Bets
In an interview with Exame, Regis Dudena highlighted that the SPA had expanded collaborative arrangements with relevant authorities to enhance scrutiny over the Bets market and its licensed operators.
Dudena also noted that the regulator is working with the Federal Bank and external agencies to implement a direct block on payment transactions via the government’s PIX system. Additionally, the SPA seeks to develop ‘specific tools’ to prevent vulnerable populations in Brazil, particularly those dependent on social welfare, from using such funds for gambling. Dudena acknowledged this as a politically sensitive area of concern.
CPIs to follow Bets launch
Commonly referred to as ‘Bets’, on 1 January, Brazil launched its federal online gambling marketplace. The Ministry of Finance has granted licence authorisations to 70 businesses, with 14 licences approved to operate brands from 1 January, while others await regulatory approval.
Accompanying developments saw relevant authorities receive the first update from rapporteurs leading Commission of Inquiry (CPI) investigations aimed at reviewing the laws, standards, and protections of the Bets regime.
The Brazilian Senate has assigned a Commission of Inquiry (CPI) to investigate the financial and sports integrity vulnerabilities of the country’s new online gambling regime.
The CPI Bets is led by Senator Soraya Thronicke, who will evaluate the economic risks associated with the Bets market. Concurrently, the CPI of Integrity, led by Senator Romário, will begin interrogating individuals accused of market manipulations starting from 2 February.
