Month: 2026-04

(AsiaGameHub) - Leonardo Biazzi – SBC Noticias Brazil After a week of intense political wrangling over the future of the Bets Law, reports confirm that Lula is drafting his own Presidential Decree governing gambling. Leonardo Biazzi, Editor of SBC Noticias Brasil, believes the President will choose to bypass standard legislative pathways to restructure Brazil’s gambling sector. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will reveal his plans for the future of the Bets Law and online gambling in Brazil by mid-May. This update did not come from officials within the Workers Party (PT) government, but from an exclusive report by journalist Lauro Jardim published in his weekly column for O Globo. Jardim notes that Lula aims to resolve rifts in the divisive online gambling regulatory system via a presidential decree introducing new reforms and safeguards. The measure will be coordinated by the Civil House, with contributions from the Ministries of Finance, Planning and Justice. Lula has been described as “no friend of the Bets Regime”, and this week industry stakeholders closely watched the President to see if he would back a bill submitted to Congress by the PT government’s Legal Caucus to repeal the Bets Law. The Bill (PL-1808/2026,) was signed by PT Deputy Pedro Uczai and 68 fellow party members, and would authorize a full ban on all forms of gambling (excluding lotteries), as well as implement broad rule changes and penalties to crack down on third parties including financial institutions and media outlets that coerce people into gambling. Media outlets have pressed the PT for clarity on whether the President supports the gambling ban, which would return Brazil to a state of prohibition after just 15 months of legal betting under the existing Bets framework. Yet, in an unexpected turn, Lula appears ready to introduce his own proposals as a countermeasure: rejecting a full ban, but significantly tightening controls on online gambling, as well as eligibility rules for users and market participants. As outlined in Jardim’s exclusive report, Lula aims to build a regulatory system that will bar people enrolled in government financial assistance programs from accessing betting services. With this decree, Lula is again working to protect Bolsa Família recipients from participating in online gambling – an issue that was a core priority during the drafting of the original Bets framework. Lula seeks to eliminate gambling-related household debt The PT government continues to frame betting as a key driver of household debt, citing Serasa data showing more than 80 million Brazilians are currently indebted. However, this narrative is contradicted by official figures from the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA/MF), which show gambling makes up just 0.46% of total household consumption. In addition to participation limits, Lula is expected to roll out wide-ranging protections for gambling advertising, targeting what the government calls “manipulative” marketing practices, especially content that encourages compulsive behavior or addiction among consumers. Addressing household debt remains a core part of Lula’s political calculus, serving as a key pillar of his approval ratings and re-election strategy ahead of Brazil’s October election cycle. In summary, Lula has effectively positioned the Bets regime as a political adversary, framing online gambling as a central point of debate in the PT government’s campaign messaging ahead of a potential fourth presidential term. However, this approach carries the risk of sparking new tensions. If the President moves forward with a decree that overrides or sidelines the existing framework, it is likely to draw criticism from both industry stakeholders and legislative observers, many of whom question why the government has not worked with Congress to resolve outstanding issues such as targeted advertising rules and the finalization of consumer protection measures. A presidential decree may ultimately turn out to be an unnecessary escalation. There are already existing mechanisms within the legislative process to address concerns related to indebted consumers and market safeguards. As seen with the controversial tax changes to the Bets regime at the end of 2025, there is a growing risk that executive overreach could weaken policy coherence, turning what is presented as reform into another misstep in the PT government’s management of the sector. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) - With the industry facing increasing pressure from cyber threats, fraud, and regulatory uncertainties, SBC Summit Malta will feature a dedicated ‘Operations and Compliance’ stage. This stage aims to assist businesses in enhancing security and developing more resilient operations. Scheduled for April 29 and 30, the programme will convene C-level executives, security and fraud specialists, regulators, and market leaders. They will explore strategies for businesses to safeguard themselves across financial, operational, and reputational fronts. On Wednesday, April 29, the Risk, Regulation and Resilience track will address fraud, cybersecurity, and black market activities through expert panels, fireside chats, and C-level discussions. On Thursday, April 30, the focus shifts to Policy in Practice, offering hands-on workshops that tackle operational and regulatory challenges in SEO and AI. The fireside chat ‘Tax Hikes 2026: Market Shocks, Regulatory Risks & Margin Impact’ will examine how increasing tax pressures are influencing operators across key European markets. Featuring Stephen Hodgson (VP of Tax, Midnite), Sara Haddow (Group Tax Director, Entain), and Russell Mifsud (Director, Head of Gaming Europe, KPMG), the session will delve into how businesses can adapt to rising tax burdens and the implications for competitiveness, consolidation, and potential market exits. The session “The COO Horizon: Challenges and Opportunities in 2026/27” will explore how operational leadership is being tested by escalating costs and compliance demands. With speakers Ramon Glieneke (COO, Alea), Tom McGovern (Chief Operations Officer, Flutter UKI), Tim De Borle (COO, Casumo), and Chris McGowan (COO, Scatters), and moderated by Joe Streeter (Editor, iGaming Expert), the discussion will centre on investment priorities and how technologies like AI can support more efficient, scalable operations. Day two will then concentrate on the operational and regulatory considerations surrounding SEO and AI. The workshop ‘SEO Terrorism in iGaming: Surviving Negative Attacks on Your Website’ will address the growing threat of negative SEO. Hosted by Ivana Flynn (Head of SEO and Strategy, Consultant), it will investigate how these attacks are executed, what attackers aim to achieve, and how to identify them early, providing participants with practical strategies to detect, track, and defend against malicious activity. The workshop ‘AI in Gaming: Shaping the Industry’s First AI Charter’ will examine the impact of forthcoming EU AI regulation and its practical implications for operators. Led by Kinga Warda (Chief of Policy and Insight, Malta Gaming Authority) and Francois Piccione (Chief Technology Officer, Malta Gaming Authority), it will offer early clarity on the standards shaping compliance and how businesses can align their processes accordingly. ‘From AI Tools to AI Embedded in Business Workflows’ will explore how to integrate AI from a standalone tool into a core component of business operations. Featuring Philippe Guillod (VP, Analytics) and Fraser Dunk (CEO, Jurnii), the session will highlight how organisations are embedding AI into everyday processes to drive efficiency and improve decision-making, offering practical strategies to move beyond experimentation and deliver tangible value. SBC Summit Malta will take place at the InterContinental Hotel from 28-30 April. Alongside the conference programme, the event will offer 6,000 attendees the opportunity to explore a curated exhibition floor and connect through a range of networking opportunities. ____________________________________________________________________________ Secure Your Tickets for SBC Summit Malta Ensure your attendance at SBC Summit Malta by purchasing our VIP Event Pass. Priced at €600, this pass grants you full access to all aspects of SBC Summit Malta, encompassing three days of networking, conference sessions, and the exhibition. An Expo+ Pass is also available for €150. Operators and affiliates are eligible to apply for a complimentary pass. Operators can request a free pass here. Affiliates can request their free passes here. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.