Brazil Joins International Effort to Combat Match-Fixing with Macolin Convention
The Brazilian government has formally announced its intention to join the Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions, widely known as the Macolin Convention. Brazil match-fixing Macolin convention
This development follows a consensus approved by the Ministries of Sports, Treasury, Justice, and Public Security earlier this week, signaling Brazil’s renewed dedication to tackling match-fixing and safeguarding the integrity of sports.
Addressing the fight against match-fixing and irregularities, Sports Minister André Fufuca underscored the significance of this move. He stated: “The government’s commitment is to ensure that Brazilians feel protected and trust our sports betting oversight system. This decision demonstrates that we are vigilant and fulfilling our responsibilities.”
He further emphasized, “We will not allow the virtual betting environment to be taken over by illegal operators. We work tirelessly to combat match-fixing and ensure the integrity of sports competitions.”
Brazil’s fixed-odds sports betting industry has been steadily growing, fueled by digital innovation and increased interest in sporting events, especially football. Since the enactment of Law No. 13,756/2018, which authorized this sector, the country has made notable strides toward establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework.
The overarching aim is to create a stable legal environment that guarantees consumer protection, ensures revenue for the government, and attracts both domestic and international investments, including sports sponsorship deals.
Challenges and prospects in the sector remain, however. Ongoing efforts are required to combat illegal betting markets, promote responsible gaming, and prevent crimes like money laundering. Aligning legislation across different levels of government and developing infrastructure for compliance monitoring are also vital steps.
With ongoing regulation, Brazil has the potential to set a regional example, reaping both economic and social benefits. The Macolin Convention fosters collaboration among public authorities, sports organizations, betting operators, and event organizers to prevent, detect, and penalize sports manipulation. It also provides a shared legal framework that enhances international cooperation against this global issue.
Additionally, several Brazilian clubs have been proactive in promoting education on responsible gaming. Collaborations with professional and youth teams have involved workshops and seminars led by industry professionals.
Recently, 7K, a brand under the Ana Gaming Group, hosted a workshop with Mirassol Futebol Clube’s squad and coaching staff, focusing on match-fixing and sports integrity. This event, held in partnership with Sportradar—a leader in sports data and integrity solutions—marks the first collaboration of its kind between 7K and clubs participating in the Brazilian Série A.
“Integrity is a core element of the credibility of both the betting industry and sports,” said Nickolas Ribeiro, Partner and Founder of Grupo Ana Gaming, which oversees 7K, Cassino, and Vera brands. “By organizing workshops, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting initiatives that align with regulatory standards and uphold industry governance.”
He added, “Advancing regulation demands proactive engagement from companies. Investing in training is a practical step to reduce risks and promote shared responsibility in preventing earnings manipulation.”
International cooperation plays a crucial role in this effort. Giovanni Rocco, the national secretary of sports betting and economic development of Sport, highlighted the strategic importance of Brazil’s accession to the Macolin Convention.
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“Brazil’s membership is strategic because match-fixing is a transnational crime. This cooperation, especially through intelligence sharing and information exchange, is essential. It allows us to implement more effective measures to combat complex, cross-border manipulation,” Rocco explained.
He pointed out that Brazil will benefit from partnerships with countries equipped with advanced technology, extensive data, and experience in monitoring sports fraud. Such collaboration, Rocco stressed, will strengthen the integrity of the sports ecosystem and promote fair conditions for athletes, clubs, fans, and legal betting operators alike.
About the Macolin Convention, it officially came into force on September 1, 2019. The treaty has been ratified by countries including France, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Lithuania, Norway, Portugal, Moldova, Switzerland, and Ukraine. Moreover, 32 other European nations, along with Australia and Morocco, have signed the agreement, broadening its international influence.
