Election first, transparency later: Brazil delays betting file release

Brazil's Ministry of Finance is not expected to begin publicly releasing documents related to betting license approvals until after the country's October general election.

The decision comes despite the Ministry announcing a transparency initiative more than a month ago.

The task force, first announced by Executive Secretary Dario Durigan, is expected to operate for an initial four-month period, meaning its work will extend beyond both rounds of the presidential election before concluding in late November.

The initiative was announced after the Ministry faced criticism over its decision to apply Brazil's 100-year confidentiality rule to documents requested under the country's Freedom of Information Law (LAI).

Although the working group has yet to be formally established, officials from the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA) have already begun reviewing licensing documents and anonymizing information considered legally protected before publication.

The first batch of released documents is expected to include the legal opinions underpinning betting licence approvals, as well as assessments relating to applicants' eligibility, integrity and the lawful origin of funds.

The issue has become increasingly political ahead of October's election

Brazil’s President Lula da Silva has repeatedly criticized the betting industry and confirmed that tighter action against betting operators will feature in his re-election campaign.

At the same time, the Government has faced criticism over its own regulatory oversight. Local media previously reported that supervision of both licensed and illegal betting operators was handled by a team of just two Ministry of Finance officials.

Earlier this month, the Ministry introduced mandatory responsible gambling warnings for all licensed betting advertising, a measure that was welcomed by the industry.