Brazil Strengthens Sports Betting Integrity

As Brazil’s regulated online sports betting market approaches its January 2025 launch, the Brazilian Ministry of Finance has reinforced its commitment to safeguarding sports betting integrity through new partnerships with Sportradar and the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA). These agreements aim to protect the sports betting landscape from match-fixing and other integrity breaches, setting a solid foundation for Brazil’s growing gaming industry.

Brazil’s Ministry of Finance Signs Integrity Agreements with Sportradar and IBIA

The Brazilian Ministry of Finance, in a bid to promote integrity within the rapidly evolving sports betting market, has entered into two critical agreements with Sportradar and the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA). These partnerships mark a proactive step toward establishing a well-regulated, transparent, and safe betting environment for the country’s sports industry.

Key Points:

• Sportradar and the Brazilian Ministry of Finance sign an agreement to monitor and report suspicious betting activity.
• IBIA to collaborate with the Ministry on sharing integrity-related information and conducting joint investigations.
• Agreements come ahead of Brazil’s regulated online sports betting launch set for January 1, 2025.

Through the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA), Brazil’s Ministry of Finance formalized a Technical Cooperation Agreement (ACT) with Sportradar, a leader in sports data and integrity services. Under this agreement, Sportradar will assist the SPA by reporting any suspicious betting incidents and providing ongoing education to SPA staff on match-fixing prevention and other integrity protocols. Felippe Marchetti, Sportradar’s Manager for Integrity Partnerships in Brazil, described the ACT as a significant milestone: “This ACT reflects a mutual commitment to establish a sustainable, regulated sports betting industry in Brazil that is built upon a foundation of integrity.”

IBIA Collaboration to Enhance Integrity and Investigations

In a parallel move, the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) has signed its own cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Finance, designed to enhance monitoring capabilities and foster collaborative investigations on suspicious betting activities. The agreement includes information sharing mechanisms between IBIA and the Ministry, allowing for timely identification and reporting of potential integrity risks within Brazilian sports.

IBIA CEO Khalid Ali emphasized the value of this collaboration: “IBIA is delighted to have reached this agreement with the Brazilian Ministry of Finance and welcomes the government’s increased focus on creating a robust sports betting integrity ecosystem to tackle match-fixing. Under this agreement, IBIA will identify and report suspicious betting on Brazilian sporting events to the Ministry of Finance to support investigatory actions.”

The agreement further stipulates that operators seeking a Brazilian license will be required to join an independent sports integrity monitoring body, which IBIA claims will strengthen the region’s capacity to monitor, assess, and protect betting transactions.

Preparing for the Regulated Market Launch

Brazil’s regulated online sports betting market is set to go live on January 1, 2025, and these agreements represent a proactive effort by the Ministry of Finance to prepare the industry for this launch. The collaborative approach taken with Sportradar and IBIA ensures that Brazil’s betting market will operate within a framework of integrity, with mechanisms to detect, investigate, and address suspicious betting activity.

In addition to these agreements, other industry players are also expanding their presence in Brazil. Kambi Group recently signed a long-term deal with Rei do Pitaco (RDP), a daily fantasy sports operator, to supply its Odds Feed+ product, further enhancing the local betting ecosystem.

The Brazilian Ministry of Finance’s partnerships with Sportradar and IBIA underscore its commitment to establishing a trustworthy and integrity-driven sports betting industry. By fostering collaboration, implementing robust monitoring systems, and creating an ecosystem prepared to combat match-fixing, Brazil is setting the stage for a regulated sports betting market that prioritizes both transparency and player protection. As the January 2025 launch date approaches, these agreements reflect a strong regulatory foundation that could serve as a model for other emerging sports betting markets.