Brazil's licensed betting industry has largely welcomed the country's new advertising restrictions, with operators and associations describing the measures as a positive step for the market.
The new rules, introduced jointly by the Ministries of Finance and Justice, require all betting advertisements to display one of three mandatory warnings informing consumers that betting can cause addiction, leads to financial losses or is not an investment.
The National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL) said it supports the measures and believes advertising that fails to comply with the rules damages the reputation of the entire regulated sector.
The Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming (IBJR) also welcomed the regulatory changes, saying it is assessing their impact but believes stronger rules will improve consumer protection and reinforce responsible gambling practices.
The organization added that closer cooperation between regulators and licensed operators is essential to curb illegal platforms.
Individual operators echoed those concerns
Carol Luna, Head of Compliance at Esportes Gaming Brasil, described the tougher standards as "a legitimate and necessary step" in the development of Brazil's regulated market.
Superbet said responsible advertising plays an important role in helping consumers.
“Advertising allows us to differentiate legal platforms from illegal ones, which operate outside the rules and without any consumer protection mechanism,” described the company.
The debate has also expanded beyond with following recent municipal advertising bans in Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte.
ANJL said its legal department is evaluating possible legal action, arguing that "any restrictions on advertising should be discussed within the scope of the Federal Government," which it considers the competent authority to regulate betting advertising nationwide.
Brazil's Ministry of Health is preparing a nationwide public awareness campaign aimed at educating the population about the risks associated with online betting
