IBIA to hit ground running on sports integrity post-Brazil market launch

The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) has welcomed the adoption of the sports betting law by the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies. 

Having been approved by legislators and now awaiting signature from President Lula da Silva, the law introduces an effective regulatory and licensing system for operators in the country for both sports betting and online casinos.

This also includes a range of integrity measures to strengthen the fight against sports betting related match-fixing, such as preventing people with influence over sports from participating in wagering.

Khalid Ali, IBIA CEO, commented: ‘This is an historic moment for sports betting in Brazil and is a major step forward in the fight against match-fixing. IBIA welcomes the adoption of specific betting integrity provisions in the law, which the association has been campaigning for since discussions on regulating sports betting began in 2018.”

According to H2 Gambling Capital – the independent authority on global gambling market data – IBIA members already account for over 60% of the remote gambling market in Brazil.  

“A number of Brazilian market focused operators have already joined IBIA, and we look forward to engaging with other operators intent on offering well-protected sports betting products to Brazilian consumers via IBIA’s world leading integrity network,” Ali added.

The association has also outlined that its international monitoring and alert network will provide ‘accurate and detailed’ intelligence on suspicious betting activity on Brazilian sport to betting regulators, law enforcement and sports governing bodies.

Ali continued to emphasise that although the new law is a very important milestone in the fight against match-fixing, there is no room for complacency. 

He stated: “We are committed to working more closely and sharing our expertise with the Brazilian regulatory authorities on the implementing regulation on integrity, as well as with sports and law enforcement to ensure we more effectively detect, deter and sanction sports betting related match-fixing and fraud.”

Opening markets to licensed sports betting operators has been highlighted as key to protecting consumers and the integrity of sporting competitions from sports betting related match-fixing. 

Regulated sports betting markets channel consumers away from the unregulated markets where most of the issues with match-fixing and corruption arise, the IBIA detailed.

Ali concluded: “By opening-up the market to licensed sports betting operators Brazil is sending a very important message to other markets in Latin America that a dynamic and competitive regulated sports betting framework with strong integrity provisions is essential to the fight against sports betting related match-fixing.”

Finally, the IBIA has said that whilst it welcomes the fact that the Chamber of Deputies has resisted the temptation to impose higher levels of gambling taxation, the impact of the overall tax burden and the substantial cost of the licencing fee, which remains BRL 30m (around €5.5m) ‘may deter investments’ in Brazil.