New President for ANJL: A shift in Brazil’s gaming industry leadership

Shirley Pulis Xerxen April 1, 2024

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New President for ANJL: A shift in Brazil’s gaming industry leadership

The National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL) has a new president as of this Monday (01/04). Plínio Lemos Jorge replaces Wesley Cardia, following the conclusion of a one-year term in office.

Plínio is a lawyer and partner at Lemos Jorge Advogados Associados, holds a Master’s degree in Tax Law from PUC-SP, is a doctoral candidate in Business Law, and a former judge at the Tax and Fees Court of the State of S?o Paulo.

“The sports betting and online gaming market is experiencing a promising moment in Brazil, with sector regulation still in progress. I take on the challenge of the ANJL presidency, maintaining the commitment to building an honest, secure, and regulated environment in our country, both for betting companies and bettors.”
Plínio Lemos Jorge

Welcoming the new president, Cardia emphasised the association’s active role since its establishment in March 2023. “We have actively participated in the entire sector regulation process, engaging with the Executive and the National Congress, advocating publicly for the best rules and practices for market development. I am confident that Plínio will bring significant contributions in this regard,” he stated.

Among the immediate agendas Plínio will lead is ANJL’s advocacy for the repeal of vetoes to Article 31 of Law 14,790/2023, which addresses how Income Tax on bets will be collected. The association believes that maintaining these vetoes by the National Congress could nullify the approved regulation, as they encourage bettors to shift towards the illegal market.

The Association was created in 2023, representing a number of operators in the industry, with the objectives of defending the interests of its members, the gaming industry and responsible gambling.

Plinio Lemos Jorge — *Plínio Lemos Jorge.*

Online Betting Regulation Milestone

According to ANJL, the milestone online betting regulation of last December meant that, “bettors and operators are protected by a law that brings credibility and security”. According to Wesley Cardia, the approval of the PL was the victory of common sense and legality in favour of Brazilian citizens.

ANJL President Wesley Cardia resignation — *ANJL President Wesley Cardia has just announced his resignation.*

“Now, bettors and operators will be protected by the Law, minors will be protected and prohibited from accessing online betting platforms, and those prone to gaming addiction will be monitored,” added Cardia.

ANJL’s regulatory priorities

During an interview with SiGMA during last year’s SiGMA Americas Summit in Brazil, Cardia emphasized that working towards a regulated market was a top priority for the ANJL. One strategy that the new Association adopted was to look at regulation “best practices” from other countries.

Changing perception of sports betting

Other priorities for ANJL with Cardia at the helm were controlling match fixing by adopting procedures and using software to combat the problem and the prevention of minors playing. Additionally, Cardia added that ANJL wanted to bring a change in mentality where sports betting ceases to be seen as an alternative to make a living. The perception towards sports betting should become, he added, “a kind of amusement, of entertainment”. ANJL was also working hard to implement strategies that help gambling addicts and possibly prevent them from participating in sports betting in Brazil.