Before heading to LatAm, our hosts discuss the progress made in Florida since episode 20. West Flagler has filed an en banc rehearing which has not been dismissed by the court. Instead, the court has asked the Seminoles for a response by 31 August. However, due to extensive red tape, the likelihood of sports betting launching in Florida in the near future seems low. Nevertheless, there is a possibility that it could begin during the upcoming NFL season.
Now let’s shift our focus to Brazil. Neil Montgomery believes that anything is possible in this country. Sports betting was officially regulated in Brazil in July when president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed the Provisional Measure, implementing the sports betting regulations approved in Law No 13,756 in 2018. However, there were some unexpected elements in the regulations including a higher GGR tax, stricter marketing restrictions, and increased license fees. Though these regulations conclude certain matters, not everyone is satisfied with the outcome. The hope now lies in the regulation being amended in Brazil’s National Congress, where it needs approval to become permanent. “We still face opposition from certain sectors of society and congress,” says Montgomery. “There is a lot of activity happening in Brazil, but the actual outcome remains uncertain.”
Despite the political tensions surrounding sports betting in Brazil, Montgomery asserts that progress is being made in implementing the regulations. “While the federal law is being discussed, some states and municipalities have already taken the initiative and implemented their own local sports betting products.” For Hugo Baungartner, the first returning guest to the World Series of Politics, the regulation of sports betting represents a significant step forward for Brazil. “From my perspective, the Provisional Measure is a very positive development. It’s the first step.”
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