Brazilian Sports Integrity Association Formed to Combat Match-Fixing
A fresh, non-profit Brazilian sports integrity organization, the Brazilian Sports Integrity Defense Association (ABRADIE), has been established by a group of sports wagering firms in Brazil.
This follows a string of match-fixing scandals in Portuguese-speaking nations, which has sparked considerable discussion regarding Brazil’s gambling regulations.
The companies involved in creating the association include Genius Sports, Entain, daily fantasy sports operator Rei Do Pitaco, and legal firms Bichara e Motta and Maia Yoshiyasu Advogados. They issued a joint statement following the organization’s formation.
Luiz Felipe Maia of Maia Yoshiyasu believes that the association is being formed at a “pivotal moment,” due to the pressure from the expanding Brazilian market and ongoing regulatory issues.
ABRADIE states that it will collaborate with regulators, federal and state law enforcement, and other entities to identify and halt fraud and other illicit activities related to sports betting.
The association asserts that its primary objective will be to identify and examine suspicious betting patterns in Brazilian sports.
To reach this objective, the group will conduct meetings and gatherings to encourage communication and cooperation among those involved in the system.
Moreover, ABRADIE members will work together to create a document to be presented to the authorities, which will suggest ways to safeguard the honesty of sports and associated wagering.
Martin Lycka, the senior executive responsible for regulations and responsible gambling at Entain Americas, discussed the significance of the organization, referring to a previous statement issued by the company.
“As part of Entain’s ongoing commitment to operating only in well-regulated and well-managed markets, I am pleased to see the industry uniting to support the authenticity of Brazilian sports and stop match manipulation,” he stated. “This is a fundamental aspect of any betting rules, including the upcoming Brazilian betting regulations.”
Chris Dougan, the head of communications at Genius, expressed his happiness at being part of Brazil’s first sports integrity organization.
“We are eager to collaborate with regulators, law enforcement officials, operators, sports leagues, and other important individuals to prevent deception and protect the integrity of sports,” he added.
Preserving the honesty of athletic competition is essential for the sports wagering sector. ABRADIE members will show their dedication to industry standards, assisting governments, athletic organizations, and other interested parties in safeguarding sports from corruption dangers linked to gambling.
The regulatory process for sports betting in Brazil is still underway, even though the nation’s lawmakers voted to legalize the activity in 2018. Recent match-fixing controversies have sparked renewed optimism that a legal path may be on the horizon.
“Without rules, and with the presence of numerous offshore betting operations, Brazilian leagues are vulnerable to fraudsters,” Maia recently told iGB. “It’s only a matter of time before it leads to a series of scandals, ultimately resulting in regulation or market closure.”
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