Maranhão defends the legality of Bets in action at the STF

THE government of Maranhão went to the Federal Supreme Court (STF) this Wednesday, 5th, in defense of the betting houses, the popular bets. The state attorney’s office filed a request to join as amicus curiae (Latin expression meaning “friend of the Court”) in one of the lawsuits asking for the Sports Betting Law to be declared unconstitutional. Maranhão is governed by Carlos Brandão (PSB), a former ally of Flávio Dino, who is now a minister in the STF.

This type of participation in the process does not make the government of Maranhão a party — it is as if it asked to be a kind of “advisor”, who will contribute with arguments that help the Court to make a decision. The actions that question the constitutionality of bets are stopped at the STF. The rapporteur is by Minister Luiz Fux.

“Contrary to the applicant’s allegations, the Bets Law promotes a safe and controlled gaming environment, establishing strict measures to prevent addiction and default. Appropriate regulation, instead of aggravating social problems, mitigates them through control and prevention measures expressly provided for in the law itself”, says an excerpt from the statement sent by the Maranhão government to the Supreme Court this Wednesday.

Elsewhere, the petition says: “The regulation of sports betting brings significant benefits to the Brazilian economy and society. Firstly, the regulated sector creates formal job opportunities in several areas, from technological development to customer service, contributing to the reduction of unemployment. Furthermore, the regulated activity generates substantial tax revenues for the Union, States and Municipalities, strengthening public finances.”

One of the justifications that the Maranhão government gave for joining the process was the creation of Lotema, a state lottery. If the actions are deemed valid, he could lose it. “All studies and procedures for implementing the Maranhão State Lottery were carried out with the establishment of strict criteria for the accreditation of operators in the State, supported by state and federal legislation for operation,” he argued in the action.

The requests to overturn the Sports Betting Law in the Federal Supreme Court were presented by the National Confederation of Commerce (CNC) and the Attorney General’s Office (PGR), through two separate legal actions.