Brazil's Supreme Court (STF) will hold hearings on Monday and Tuesday regarding the betting market.

The Supreme Federal Court (STF) is holding two public hearings this week to discuss the impacts of online betting, called bets, in Brazil. Scheduled for Monday (11) and Tuesday (12), the hearings were convened by Minister Luiz Fux, rapporteur of the Direct Action of Unconstitutionality in which the National Confederation of Commerce of Goods, Services and Tourism (CNC) and the Solidarity party ask that the Bets Law (Law 14.790/2023) be declared unconstitutional by the STF.
More than 40 people are expected to explore the topic during the two days of public hearings.

Among those registered for the hearings are ministers of the federal government, representatives of financial institutions, and experts in the field. According to a list released by the Supreme Court, the debates will include the participation of the Secretary of Prizes and Betting of the Ministry of Finance, Régis Dudena; the Minister of Human Rights, Macaé Evaristo; the president of the Federal Court of Accounts (TCU), Bruno Dantas; as well as representatives from the Ministries of Health, Social Development, and Racial Equality.

Associations linked to the betting sector should also be present, such as the Legal Gaming Institute – IJL , the National Association of Games and Lotteries – ANJL, the Brazilian Institute for Responsible Gaming – IBJR, and the International Association of Gaming – AIGAMING, in addition to the Brazilian Association of Psychiatry (ABP) and the Brazilian Institute for Consumer Protection (Idec).

According to Fux, the event will be able to clarify the impacts of "bets" in various spheres, from the neurological effects on human behavior (one of the main concerns is the growing addiction to gambling) to the economic, criminal and tax consequences.

The minister indicated that, after gathering all points of view, he will prepare his opinion on the case and take it directly to trial before the full Court, that is, without granting a preliminary injunction beforehand.

The Ministry of Finance has issued a set of regulations through 11 ordinances to regulate the market and adopt new oversight measures, such as monitoring bets by CPF (Brazilian taxpayer ID), limiting payment methods, and regulating company advertising. The proposals also include a ban on credit cards.

Check here for the schedule and list of participants for the public hearings.