The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has publicly backed Brazil’s betting regulation framework, urging lawmakers not to reverse the country’s recently implemented Bets Law.
Speaking during a panel discussion on online betting at the 14th Lisbon Forum on 2 June, CBF Vice President Michelle Ramalho argued that licensed betting operators have become an important source of revenue for Brazilian football and should remain part of the country’s regulated market.
Ramalho stressed that the focus should be on strengthening oversight and enforcement rather than dismantling the legal framework. According to the CBF official, a regulated market provides greater transparency, consumer protection and accountability than an environment where betting activity is pushed into unlicensed channels.
The Bets Law, which established federal rules for online gambling and sports betting in Brazil, has faced criticism from some political figures and public-interest groups since its introduction. However, the CBF believes the legislation has created a more structured environment for both operators and sports organisations.
Brazilian football has become increasingly reliant on sponsorship and commercial partnerships linked to the betting sector, with clubs across the country benefiting from agreements signed under the new regulatory regime. The CBF warned that repealing the law could create uncertainty for clubs, sponsors and investors at a time when the market is still adapting to the new rules.
The confederation’s intervention adds another influential voice to the debate over the future of gambling regulation in Brazil, as policymakers continue to assess the long-term impact of the country’s betting reforms.