LATIN AMERICA IN FOCUS
Brazil Betting Sector Blasts Finance Minister Over Call to Ban Gambling
Brazilian Finance Minister Fernando Haddad has sparked controversy by stating he would vote to ban gambling if such a bill were brought before the Chamber of Deputies.
In an interview with ICL Notícias, Haddad described the regulated gambling sector in Brazil as a “disaster” over its links to family financial troubles, stating: “If a project came up in the Federal Chamber to continue or to stop [betting in Brazil], I’d press the stop button.”
The comments provoked a furious response from the industry, with the National Association of Games and Lotteries expressing its “surprise and dismay” at Haddad’s statements.
According to the ANJL, the concerns raised in the interview, such as family debt and predatory advertising, are primarily linked to illegal operators, not those operating with proper authorization.
Kambi Appoints Lenoble as Head of Latin America Sales
Kambi Group has named Mateo Lenoble as its new head of sales for Latin America.
Lenoble brings a decade of experience from Sportradar, where he held senior roles including director of sales and, most recently, vice president of account management.
Kambi said the appointment underscores its commitment to growing its presence in Latin America, where it provides a broad portfolio of sports betting products and services.
“The region is full of opportunity,” Lenoble explained. “Kambi’s reputation for product excellence, flexibility and regulatory expertise positions us perfectly for success.”
BetMGM Executive Warns Brazil Influencer Crackdown Could Boost Black Market
BetMGM Brazil’s head of legal, Eduardo Ludmer, cautions that overly strict limits on influencer advertising for gambling operators in Brazil could push consumers toward the black market.
The controversy around influencer advertising has plagued the launch of the regulated market in Brazil, leading to the Senate approving new restrictions that would ban the use of influencers in gambling marketing.
That proposal is still under review, but Ludmer is concerned further restrictions on influencers could aid the black market.
Ludmer tells iGB: “Imposing excessive restrictions on influencers who work with legal operators may inadvertently empower precisely the very market we aim to suppress: the illegal sector, which operates without accountability, disregards player welfare and undermines the integrity and reputation of the industry as a whole.”
Dispute with Brazil License Holder Forces Hanzbet to Cease Operations
Brazilian operator Hanzbet will shut down by the end of July following a dispute with its local license holder, EA Entretenimento e Esportes Ltda (EA).
Earlier this month, EA confirmed that Hanzbet would cease operations by July 31, with the platform remaining accessible solely for customers to withdraw their remaining balances.
Hanzbet founder and CMO Eduardo Peres issued a statement on his LinkedIn page on July 21, describing the situation as a “true operational dictatorship.” He claimed that he and his team had been excluded from all internal communication channels and stripped of any role in decision-making.
Peres has accused EA of blocking customer withdrawals by draining the company’s liquidity, while simultaneously instructing users to withdraw their funds before Hanzbet shuts down.
ANJL Condemns $54 Million Rio de Janeiro Lawsuit Over Misleading Ads
The National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL) has strongly criticized the Rio de Janeiro Public Defender’s Office (DPRJ) after it filed a lawsuit against 43 online betting operators over allegedly misleading advertisements.
On July 20, the DPRJ announced it had submitted a Public Civil Action (ACP) seeking BRL300 million ($53.9 million) in damages. The lawsuit claims the operators’ advertising failed to include essential warnings about the risks of gambling.
The ANJL has pushed back, arguing the claims in the ACP are baseless. It warns the lawsuit could ultimately harm bettors by making it more difficult to differentiate between licensed and illegal operators.
ANJL President Plínio Lemos Jorge said: “All necessary measures for responsible and transparent gambling advertising are already adopted by regulated betting houses.”
