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The debate around banning single-event bets in Brazil has raised concerns that overly restrictive thresholds will push bettors to the black market. Single-event bets include in-play occurrences such as corners, fouls, and yellow cards. The ban is part of Bill 2842/23, which is currently under consideration by the Permanent Subcommittee on the Regulation of Sports Betting of the Chamber of Deputies’ Sports Committee.
During a session on Wednesday, government officials and stakeholders discussed both the possible risks and benefits of outlawing this type of betting. Some warned that such measures must be carefully considered so as not to have unintended consequences.
International Evidence
Liga Forte União do Futebol Brasileiro managing director Gabriel Lima referred to studies in Belgium and the UK, where it is evident that excessively restrictive approaches to betting products often have the effect of driving up illegal gambling. “When regulated markets are restricted, bettors migrate to unregulated sites“, he stated.
Association of Bets and Fantasy Sport (ABFS) president Rafael Marcondes also noted that match-fixing is primarily linked to the central betting markets. Based on his data, 90% of manipulation cases are in the final results, while secondary markets such as corners and cards account for just 13%. He warned that even if some bets are banned in Brazil, international sites will continue to provide them, showing the global nature of betting manipulation.
The Public Sector Perspective
From the government side, Giovanni Rocco Neto, the national secretary of sports betting in the Ministry of Sports, stressed that attention must be put on the illegal betting market and not on restricting regulated markets. “The issue of betting cannot be solved by the push of a button“, he said. “One must utilize technology to block and follow illegal gambling money, along with police action, because criminals feel most comfortable where there is no enforcement.”
Tiago Barbosa, from Genius Sports, complemented that 70% to 80% of Brazil’s betting market remains in illegal markets. Therefore, restricting regulated markets would affect only 20% to 30% of the total bets and potentially leave most of the betting activity in place while driving more users into unregulated operators.
Mental Health and Gambling Addiction
The session also addressed problems of gambling addiction and its consequences for public health. Deputy Caio Vianna (PSD–RJ) questioned the Ministry of Health regarding the low number of cases of treatment for those addicted to digital betting sites. He suggested that the committee should bridge this gap.
Department of Mental Health, Alcohol, and Other Drugs Director Marcelo Dias talked about how most gambling addicts do not seek treatment on their own, but only seek care after pressure from their families or insistence from professionals. He said that the ministry’s strategy is to place gambling addiction into overall mental health policies, particularly in primary care, and not as a personal failing.
Balancing Regulation and Market Integrity
The hearings highlighted the equilibrium that must be struck in the regulation of sports betting. While the objective of banning certain bets may be to limit risk and problem gambling, experience demonstrates that excessively restrictive measures have the perverse effect of entrenching illicit operators. It was made apparent by stakeholders that it will require a balanced combination of robust technology, regulatory oversight, and international cooperation to protect both the bettor and the integrity of sport.
As Brazil continues to form its approach to sports betting, legislators must weigh the potential for driving more activity to the black market against the benefit of restricting single-event bets, so regulation encourages safe, transparent, and responsible play.
Source: iGaming Brasil
