Brazil's Ministry of Finance confirmed the resignation of Jose Francisco Mansur, the government's chief advisor on the development of bill 3626/2023, which lays the legislative groundwork for the launch of the federal sports betting market known locally as "Bets." Mansur is no longer involved in the final procedures for the upcoming platform launch.
Mansur's departure was reportedly due to disagreements with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's government regarding recent regulatory measures on betting. Mansur opposed Centrão's plans to influence the formation of the Secretaria de Prêmios e Apostas (SPA) in Brazil.
Centrão, a politically influential congressional bloc under the leadership of President of the Chamber of Deputies Arthur Lira, seeks to control the betting regulation sector in Brazil. Mansur became a target of attacks from Centrão, aiming to control the sector's revenues, estimated to reach between 3,000 to 6,000 million reais this year.
Despite the betting law being in effect since January 1, the government and Ministry of Finance have yet to publish the licensing schedule needed for the official launch of the sports betting market in Brazil.