ANJL sends extrajudicial notification to candidate Romeu Zema for false statements about the betting sector.
The National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL) sent an extrajudicial notification to presidential candidate Romeu Zema (Novo) following public statements containing false information about the regulated sports betting and online gaming sector in Brazil.
According to the document, the statements made by Zema in interviews, official statements, events, and social media distort data about how the market works, contributing to the spread of misinformation among the public and regulatory bodies.
“The regulated betting sector, comprised of companies authorized by the federal government and that rigorously comply with their tax obligations, will not accept speeches based on assumptions or lacking evidence. Besides being an irresponsible attitude, this type of stance demonstrates a lack of concern on the part of the candidate in addressing relevant issues based on concrete facts and technical data,” stated the president of ANJL, Plínio Lemos Jorge.
The notification demands that the candidate from the Novo party publicly retract and correct the information disseminated, under penalty of legal action for moral and material damages. According to the text, the statements would have a direct impact on the reputation of companies and operators that act legally in the sector, in addition to generating misinformation among consumers and public policy makers.
The case further inflames the debate on the topic in election campaigns with false information related to a sector that has been undergoing a strong regulatory process in Brazil, especially after the approval of legislation governing fixed-odds sports betting.
Scenario
The legal market currently has 85 companies authorized to operate in Brazil, responsible for collecting R$ 9,95 billion in taxes throughout 2025 and R$ 7,28 billion in the first half of 2026 alone. The regulated sector also registers 1,2 million voluntary self-exclusions — a mechanism to protect bettors — and allocates 13% of its revenue to areas such as sports, health, public safety, and education.
Conversely, the illegal market continues to represent a significant challenge. More than 60 clandestine websites have already been blocked by authorities, but it is estimated that up to R$40 billion per year still circulates outside the regulated system.
About ANJL
Launched in March 2023, the National Association of Games and Lotteries defends the interests of its members, the sector, and responsible and ethical gaming, always guided by the encouragement of sports, the security of bets, and the contribution to the country's economic development. Among its members are: Aposta Ganha Loterias, Fast Gaming, OiG Gaming Brazil, Ana Gaming Brasil, Esportes Gaming Brasil, SPRBT Interactive Brasil, Defy, LBBR Aposta de Quota Fixa, Lucky Gaming, Reals Brasil, Gamewiz Brasil, BETBR Loterias, Versus Brasil, SorteNaBet Gaming Brasil, Blow Marketplace, Sistema Lotérico de Pernambuco, Vanguard Entretenimento Brasil, Hiper Bet Tecnologia, Pocket Games, ODDSGATE Brasil, Upbet Brasil, EB Intermediações e Big Brazil Tecnologia e Loteria, EBAC, TaDa Gaming, BB Gaming Legitimuz Tecnologia and JogaJunto.
