(AsiaGameHub) –   By: Michelle Ramalho, CBF Vice President & Football Industry Advocate

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The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) is sounding the alarm. They’re urging lawmakers not to dismantle the Bets Law, the framework governing online gambling. This isn’t just about betting; it’s about the financial lifeline it provides to Brazilian professional football. The CBF sees licensed operators not as villains, but as crucial partners. They’re questioning the push to repeal a law that, in their view, brings much-needed regulation and support to the sport.

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CBF Vice President Michelle Ramalho made her stance clear at the 14th Lisbon Forum on June 2nd. She defended the role of licensed online betting companies. These operators are vital sponsors for Brazilian football clubs and leagues. Ramalho implored legislators to focus enforcement on illegal operators. She questioned the motives behind calls to repeal the Bets Law. Many, she noted, speak from a place of misinformation. They wrongly associate regulated betting with corruption.

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Ramalho argued that betting is now inseparable from modern football. The public discourse needs to shift. It should move past the automatic link between licensed betting firms and match-fixing scandals. “You can no longer talk about football without talking about betting,” she stated. The goal is to demystify this association. Betting companies are not inherently responsible for match manipulation. In fact, they have a vested interest in fair play.

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The playing field, Ramalho highlighted, is uneven. Licensed operators face unfair competition from the black market. Stricter penalties are needed for illegal betting businesses. It’s unjust for legal entities to compete with unregulated ones. The CBF’s support for the regulated sector is firm. However, the future of the Bets Law remains uncertain. Political debates in Brasília continue to cast a shadow over its long-term viability.

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Hearings examining the Bets regime’s impact since January 1st, 2025, have begun. The Economic Development Committee of the Chamber of Deputies is involved. While immediate repeal is unlikely, these discussions reveal deep divisions. Issues like compliance, advertising, taxation, and licensing are points of contention. Even President Lula da Silva has called for reforms. He wants tighter advertising rules and better consumer protection.

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The governance of the Bets Law has become a political bargaining chip. Parties are using it to gain public support before the October 2nd general election. With less than four months until voters cast their ballots, the future of Brazil’s newest regulated betting market is highly contested. Operators, regulators, and investors are waiting for clarity on who will champion the Bets regime and who will seek to rewrite it. The CBF’s plea is clear: protect the law that supports Brazilian football.