Fernando Vieira, IBJR: “It’s important for the sector to unite to tackle current challenges and promote responsible gaming”
In an exclusive interview with Focus Gaming News, IBJR’s Executive President highlights the partnership with ANJL and reinforces the importance of cooperation in fighting illegal gambling.
Exclusive interview.- The Brazilian Institute for Responsible Gaming (IBJR) has been working to defend an honest, sustainable and responsible online betting market. In an exclusive interview with Focus Gaming News, Fernando Vieira, IBJR’s executive president, spoke about the recent partnership the IBJR has signed with the National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL) and shared details about the risks of overtaxation in the sector and the challenges of tackling illegal platforms.
Why did the IBJR decide to enter into a partnership with the ANJL?
The IBJR believes it’s important for the sector to unite to tackle current challenges and promote responsible gaming. In this context, we recently signed a cooperation agreement with the ANJL to tackle the illegal market. Together, the two entities represent around 90 per cent of the regulated sector in Brazil.
What practical actions are planned as a result of this cooperation?
The agreement provides for various actions, such as the exchange of information and data on the activities of unlicensed companies and other awareness-raising activities.
Is there a defined agenda for the coming months?
The two entities are in regular contact and, with the signing of the agreement, have strengthened their alliance in fighting the illegal market. Although there is no fixed schedule of actions, both continuously evaluate opportunities that arise within the partnership.
The IBJR has warned of the risks of overtaxation in the sector. What immediate and long-term impacts can this excessive burden cause?
The IBJR views with great concern the provisional measure that increases taxation for the online betting segment.
The most urgent and concrete problem is exactly this significant increase in taxes on operators who have decided to operate in a regulated manner. This represents a serious breach of trust, as these companies invested in Brazil based on rules defined at the end of last year, and changing them just five months later compromises the predictability and legal certainty of the sector.
What are the practical impacts of this tax increase?
This increase in taxation tends to have a reverse effect, tightening the regulated market and favouring the migration of operators and bettors to the illegal market, which does not pay taxes, does not follow rules and does not offer player protection mechanisms.
What did the study “Fora do Radar” [Off the Radar], supported by IBJR, reveal about the illegal market?
The study made by LCA Consultoria Econômica reveals that clandestine platforms already have a significant fiscal impact: between R$1.8bn ($323m) and R$2.7bn ($485m) were not collected in just three months, an amount that could reach R$10.8bn ($1.94bn) in a year. In addition, these platforms operate without accountability, expose players to risks and use deceptive strategies, such as names similar to regulated brands and constant domain changes.
