Betting CPI chief blames Bolsonaro government for ongoing Brazil issues
Senator Thronicke, rapporteur of the CPI on betting, believes the current issues surrounding gambling in Brazil can be traced back to the lack of progress made during the government of Jair Bolsonaro.
In December 2018, outgoing President Michel Temer signed legislation paving the way for sports betting regulations in Brazil.
However, critics of Bolsonaro claim little progress was made under his administration, with some now attributing current challenges – such as fears over rising addiction levels and family debt – to the lack of action made during that period.
Thronicke agrees, believing the grey status of the market in Brazil during that time gave way to a proliferation of betting sites, without sufficient control.
“From 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2022, who was the president? Jair Messias Bolsonaro,” Thronicke told the CPI. “And it was at that time that Brazil took first place in the world ranking for the number of bets, the number of bettors. So they let it run wild.
“I have heard from former ministers and people at the top of the former government saying that, yes, they tried, they brought this issue to the agenda. And it was part of the former government’s plan to regulate betting. And why didn’t they regulate it? Nobody answers that. Nobody regulated it.”
Thronicke believes current budget cuts can be attributed to the Bolsonaro government’s failure to regulate gambling and generate the resulting state contributions.
“The estimate is a loss in revenue of BRL15 billion per year,” Thronicke added. “Imagine BRL15 billion in 2019, 2020 and 2021 onwards!
“We are now facing budget cuts, threats of budget cuts in basic issues: health, education. So, we cannot ignore the omission of the former government.”
Calls for betting CPI to be extended
Last week, it was reported the betting CPI would be coming to an end after Senate President Davi Alcolumbre decided the committee had already had enough time to compile a report.
In quotes shared with local news site O Antagonista, Senator Jorge Kajuru explained Alcolumbre had labelled the CPI a “circus”, frustrated by its lack of progress.
With the CPI set to end on 14 June, on Tuesday Senator Izalci Lucas again called for its work to be extended, after two owners of betting platforms failed to appear having been summoned to testify.
One of those, an influencer known as “Jon Vlogs”, told the CPI his absence was due to being out of the country, with Thronicke retorting: “We know very well how rich these people are. They may come from abroad, because there are flights every day to Brazil. In my opinion, it is ill will, an excuse.”
Izalci Lucas feels it is imperative the CPI is extended so those summoned are heard, saying: “I hope there is common sense here and that we can approve the request to postpone this CPI, because we still need to hear from some people in order to conclude the report.
“If the objective, in fact, is to investigate and improve the legislation, we will need a little more time.”
The CPI ‘circus‘
The CPI, established in November last year, came under fire in December when Brazilian magazine Veja made allegations of extortion within the committee.
The criticism has intensified further in recent weeks, after Senator Cleitinho Azevedo requested a picture with influencer Virgínia Fonseca while she gave testimony to the CPI, centring on her promotion of betting sites on social media.
Thronicke hit out at Fonseca in the aftermath, criticising her attitude and stating she does not believe the answers she gave during her testimony.
Additionally, Thronicke has called for Senator Ciro Nogueira to be replaced as an alternate member of the betting CPI. That came after reports that he had travelled on the private jet of a betting businessman who previously appeared in front of the commission, which Thronicke contended was a conflict of interest.
Ad proposals set to be voted upon
The Brazilian Sports Committee was prepared to vote Wednesday on proposals to further restrict advertising.
The passing of one of the bills would mean advertising during the broadcast of live sporting events would only be allowed five minutes before and five minutes after the broadcast of matches.
Sports clubs fear such restrictions could slash the revenue they’re able to generate from betting advertising.
Last week, Senator Eduardo Girão reiterated his desire to see betting completely banned, believing the football sector’s dependence on gambling sponsorships is proving harmful to the sport.