A fresh, non-profit Brazilian organization dedicated to sports integrity, the Brazilian Association for Sports Integrity (ABRADIE), has been formed by a collection of stakeholders in the Brazilian sports betting industry.
The establishment of this organization follows a series of recent match-fixing controversies in Portuguese-speaking nations, which have sparked widespread discussions about Brazilian gambling regulations.
The entities involved in the creation of the association encompass Genius Sports, Entain, daily fantasy sports operator Rei Do Pitaco, and legal firms Bichara e Motta and Maia Yoshiyasu Advogados, who issued a collective statement after the organization’s formation.
Luiz Felipe Maia of Maia Yoshiyasu believes that the association has been established at a “crucial juncture” due to the pressures and regulatory matters arising from the expanding Brazilian market.
ABRADIE asserts that it will function as a collaborative entity, working in conjunction with regulators, federal and state law enforcement bodies, and other organizations to pinpoint and prevent fraud and other illicit activities related to sports betting.
The association states that its primary focus will be on detecting and analyzing suspicious betting patterns in Brazilian sports.
To accomplish this objective, the group will organize seminars and gatherings to encourage communication and cooperation among those involved in the system.
Moreover, ABRADIE members will collaborate on a document to be presented to the authorities, outlining suggestions for preserving the honesty of sports and related wagering.
Martin Lycka, Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and Responsible Gaming at Entain Americas, spoke about the significance of the association, referencing a prior statement from the company.
“As Entain continues to be dedicated to operating only in well-regulated and effectively governed markets, I am pleased to see the industry uniting to uphold the integrity of Brazilian sports and prevent match-fixing,” he stated. “This is a crucial fundamental aspect of any betting regulation, including the upcoming Brazilian betting regulation.”
Chris Dougan, Chief Communications Officer at Genius, expressed his enthusiasm about being a part of Brazil’s inaugural sports integrity association.
“We are eager to work with regulators, law enforcement officials, operators, sports leagues, and other key participants to prevent fraud and maintain the integrity of sports,” he added.
Maintaining the integrity of sports is paramount for the sports wagering industry. ABRADIE members will demonstrate their commitment to ethical practices by collaborating with governments, athletic organizations, and other stakeholders to safeguard sports from betting-related malfeasance.
Although Brazilian legislators legalized sports betting in 2018, the regulatory framework remains in development. Recent instances of match-fixing have heightened concerns, prompting speculation that comprehensive regulations may be implemented soon.
“The absence of regulations, coupled with the prevalence of betting companies operating in foreign jurisdictions, creates a conducive environment for corrupt actors to manipulate Brazilian leagues,” Maya remarked to iGB. “It’s only a matter of time before major scandals erupt, potentially leading to the establishment of stringent rules or the complete cessation of the industry.”
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