Brazil Adopts Convention Strengthening Anti-Manipulation of Sports Competitions

Strengthening Brazil’s Fight Against Sports Betting Manipulation with Macolin Convention Join

The Brazilian government has officially joined the Macolin Convention, also known as the Council of Europe’s Agreement on Sports Competition Manipulation. This decision followed approval from the Ministries of Sport, Agriculture, Public Security, and Justice. Sports Minister Andre Fufuca confirmed Brazil’s commitment, stating the Lula administration’s goal is to ensure Brazilians feel secure when betting on sports. He emphasized that joining the convention demonstrates vigilance and a dedication to preventing illicit operators from controlling the virtual betting landscape. “Our aim is to stamp out result manipulation and keep sports competitions fair,” Minister Fufuca concluded.

Regulating Brazil’s Growing Sports Betting Sector with Macolin Convention for Enhanced Security and Economic Potential

Brazil’s fixed-odds sports betting sector is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing digitalization and a strong national passion for sports, particularly football. Since Law No. 13,756/2018 legalized this market, efforts have been underway to establish a comprehensive regulatory system. This system aims to ensure legal safety, protect consumers, and boost state revenue. The sector holds immense economic potential, attracting both domestic and foreign investments and fostering sports sponsorship. However, it faces challenges such as combating illegal markets, enforcing responsible gambling practices, preventing crimes like money laundering, harmonizing with state laws, and developing robust infrastructure for compliance monitoring. As regulation advances, Brazil is poised to become a regional leader in this sector, maximizing its economic and social benefits. Adhering to the Macolin Convention reinforces this regulatory ambition. The Macolin Convention facilitates cooperation among public authorities, sports organizations, bookmakers, and event organizers to prevent, detect, and penalize the manipulation of sports events. It also proposes a shared legal framework for international collaboration to address this global issue.

Enhancing Brazil’s Sports Betting Sector and Combat Match-Fixing with Macolin Convention Partnership

Giovanni Rocco, Brazil’s National Secretary for Sports Betting and Economic Development in Sports, expressed enthusiasm for the move, calling it a vital step toward maintaining sports integrity. He believes that partnering with technology-savvy entities that access global data, advanced technology, and possess a proven track record in combating sports fraud aligns Brazil with international best practices. Rocco highlighted the strategic importance of Brazil’s adherence, noting that match-fixing is a cross-border crime. He stated, “Cooperation and intelligence sharing are key. This connection with Europe will enable us to take much stronger action against match-fixing, which is complex and transnational.” Launched on September 1, 2019, the Macolin Convention has been ratified by nations including France, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Lithuania, Norway, Portugal, the Republic of Moldova, Switzerland, and Ukraine. Additionally, 32 European states, along with Australia and Morocco, have signed the agreement. Brazil’s official entry further bolsters this international initiative. This strategic move reinforces Brazil’s dedication to upholding sports integrity and establishing a robust regulatory benchmark for its burgeoning sports betting sector.