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Today, 12 November 2024, the Ministry of Sport issued Ordinance MESP nº 109/2024 (“Ordinance”), establishing a regulatory milestone aimed at preventing and combating the manipulation of sports results within the fixed-odds betting sector. Designed to safeguard the integrity of sporting competitions, this normative framework introduces mechanisms for cooperation with operators authorised by the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets of the Ministry of Finance (SPA/MF), aligning with international best practices in governance and sporting integrity.
Central to this framework is the obligation to notify the Ministry of Sport of any indications or suspicions of result manipulation. This includes reporting breaches of integrity policies, amendments to codes of conduct, and initiatives to investigate potential violations or irregularities in sporting events.
Additionally, the Ordinance outlines the implementation of educational and awareness initiatives targeted at key stakeholders within the sporting ecosystem, including athletes, coaches, referees, and administrators. These initiatives are aimed at reinforcing efforts to combat illicit practices while fostering a culture of integrity in sporting competitions.
The administrative procedure for investigating allegations of manipulation will be managed by the Directorate of Integrity in Sports Betting, operating under the National Secretariat for Sports Betting and Economic Development of Sport. Complaints are to be submitted preferentially through electronic means, such as the Fala.BR platform. After an initial analysis, the Ministry of Sport will forward the case files to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Fair Play Committee (COB), and the Sports Justice Tribunals for appropriate action and the adoption of precautionary measures within their respective jurisdictions.
In alignment with international standards and Brazil’s fixed-odds betting regulation, the Ordinance promotes collaboration with organisations specialising in sporting integrity that employ monitoring systems to detect unusual patterns or behaviours in both competitions and betting activities.
By fostering cooperation among betting operators, the Ministry of Sport, and integrity organisations, Ordinance MESP nº 109/2024 aims to strengthen the framework for preventing and addressing result manipulation. This regulatory measure represents a response to the phenomenon of manipulation, which has eroded public confidence in sport as an expression of unpredictability and fair competition, particularly within the context of fixed-odds betting regulation.
Our legal team at Bichara and Motta Advogados are attentively monitoring the regulation of the betting industry in Brazil, offering legal advice to multiple market participants.