Haddad warns about the use of betting platforms by criminal groups

The Minister of Finance, Fernando Haddadstated this Wednesday (3) that the government identified the use of online betting platforms by criminal organizations to launder money and hide assets. The association was made during the signing of the Technical Cooperation Agreement (ACT) which defined new measures to combat addiction to gambling and betting.

“Our biggest problems, the crime that uses the gaming platform to launder money, we know this and this will have developments very quickly as you have been following in the news”, said the minister.

“Organized crime does not fail to use any loophole, as is the case with some fintechs and bets that end up serving as a vehicle for money laundering and hiding assets, so this worries us a lot”, he added.

The minister also revealed that the irregularities identified in the sector resulted in three major police operations, now with transnational reach. According to Haddad, the topic was discussed in a phone call between President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and former President of the United States, Donald Trump.

Brazil stands out in combating irregularities

Minister Haddad stated that Brazil is the best prepared country to combat betting irregularities. During the event, the minister praised the operating system developed to regulate betting houses.

“I don’t know of a country that is in a position to face this problem like Brazil at the moment. Our biggest problem is crime, which uses the gaming platform to steal money”, he stated.

Tighter regulation

The minister defended the need to advance in the regulation of betting advertising in the country, citing the example of other products that have already undergone greater regulation. According to him, the topic is closely monitored by the Legislature.

“We want that, just as in the case of drinking and smoking, you effectively have the necessary alerts. This is entertainment and it has to be something light, but the line that separates entertainment from addiction is very thin. We have to act preventively”, he stated.