Brazil elects Giovanni Neto as Integrity Secretary for Sports and Bets

The government of Brazil has elected Giovanni Rocco Neto to serve as the first National Secretary of Sports Betting for the Economic Development of Sport.

Neto will take charge of the newly created role to ‘coordinate and supervise the economic development of Brazilian sports’, benefiting from the launch of the Bets market—the federal framework that will regulate online betting and gaming in Brazil in 2025.

The government’s gazette noted that Neto had served as a counsellor of the Ministry of Sport, where he led the Committee of Integrity, Rights and Duties in Betting and Gaming. The Committee provided the Ministry of Sport with feedback on integrity protections and safeguards to finalise the modalities of the Bets market.

Neto’s role will be independent of the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA), the department that serves as the regulatory authority of Brazilian gambling, led by Secretary Regis Dudena, reporting to the Ministry of Finance.

In his remit, Neto will report to Sports Minister André Fufuca, who created the role to ensure the integrity and economic development of Brazilian sports is maintained through the launch and proceedings of the Bets market.

Fufuca underlined the importance of a specific integrity secretary monitoring Bets: “With the creation of this new role, we aim to build a transparent and well-regulated environment that fosters both economic growth and ethical standards in Brazilian sports.”

Taking on the role, Neto stated: “It is crucial that we view sports betting as a form of recreation rather than a primary source of income. This perspective is essential to maintaining the integrity and excitement of Brazilian sports.”

Brazil’s government expects to generate approximately R$ 2 billion (€400m) annually in tax revenues from the launch of the regulated sports betting market.

The tax revenues generated from the Bets market will be distributed towards social programmes, sports development, and public security.

Plínio Lemos Jorge, president of the National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL), welcomed the appointment: “Neto’s leadership will undoubtedly strengthen our commitment to creating a fair and responsible betting market in Brazil.”

In September, the SPA concluded its technical modalities to finalise the compliance duties of the Bets market.

The SPA will now review an influx of 113 licensing applications from operators seeking to participate in the Bets market, which is scheduled to launch in January 2025.