Wire SOUTH AMERICA
Te reform will not be retroactive, so casinos will still be able to use them for the time remaining on their permits with a maximum validity of 15 years.
MEXICO LEGISLATION Mexico’s President Bans Slots
Te Federal Law on Games and Sweepstakes has been reformed so that ‘number or symbol draws through machines’ are now banned.
Peru - Match fixing bill proposed Congresswoman Susel Paredes presented a bill that would make match fixing a crime according to recent reports. The initiative was presented by the Cambio Democrático-Juntos party with Paredes as the main author of the bill. The aim of the bill is to fill a current gap in Peruvian law as it is only considered to be an infraction under current law.
According to article 197-A: “Anyone who, directly or indirectly, promises, offers or gives an undue advantage with the aim of altering the result or course of a sports competition, will be punished with imprisonment of not less than three nor more than ten years". This sanction will also apply “to anyone who requests or accepts an improper advantage, promise or offer.”
Harsher penalties will be imposed on players and anyone attached to sports in any professional capacity. This is covered in article 197-B which establishes a custodial sentence of no less than four years. The development of the measure is due to the increasing popularity of sports betting the growth of which was described as “significant” and “alarming” in the bill. A report presented by the lawmaker stated that six million Peruvians bet on sports in 2021.
Brazil - Senator reassures football clubs Senator Jorge Kajuru has issued a statement via social media addressed to the presidents of Brazilian football clubs informing them of what has so far been decided regarding the sports betting bill. The initiative was approved by the Sports Commission (CEsp) and is now being processed simultaneously by the Economic Affairs Commission (CAE) before going to the Plenary.
In the document, the senator stated that it would be up to himself and Senator Angelo Coronel to provide the final report and the decisive vote for the bill and that sports betting advertising would be permitted without time restrictions in the media and jersey sponsorship would be allowed to continue as well.
“We wish nothing but good for Brazilian football, for the clubs. We hope that Brazil’s greatest passion does not lose its credibility. We are very afraid of the manipulation of football results in online gambling. We know how to discuss this issue in a democratic and honest way,” he said.
The statement comes after football clubs in Brazil spoke out against a proposal that aims to ban sports betting sponsorship in football. The teams all belonging to the Brazilian Football League (Libra) and the Liga Forte União (LFU) released a statement criticising amendment 38-U, by Senator Eduardo Girão included in the report of the Senate’s Sports Commission (CEsp).
P8 WIRE / PULSE / INSIGHT / REPORTS
Te government of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has banned slots in casinos and other gambling facilities.
With a decree signed by the President and published last Tursday (16 November), the Regulations of the Federal Law on Games and Sweepstakes have been reformed so that “number or symbol draws through machines”, namely slots, are now banned.
However, the reform will not be retroactive, so casinos will still be able to use them for the time remaining on their permits. Tese licences can only have a maximum validity of 15 years. Once this time passes licences won’t be eligible for renewal or extension. Tose licences which have been granted but have not been acted upon are now cancelled.
In addition no new casino licenses will be allowed while licences for betting centres including those at racetracks, greyhound tracks and remote betting centres will only have
permission to operate for a maximum of 15 years. Te decree prohibits Mexican gaming firms from partnering with third-party companies and also prohibits bets with cards or similar games, as well as craps and roulette.
In September, the Ministry of the Interior (Segob) published a draft reform to Mexico’s gaming laws that called for the ban on slot machines. Te draft reform would specifically ban ‘draws of numbers or symbols through machines.’ According to the Federal Government, gambling via slot machines is not permitted by current regulations, which have been in force since 1947.
To justify the measure, the government argues that these machines are not permitted under the 1947 act which only authorises dominoes, chess, checkers, bowling, billiards, dice, bowling and raffles – and that Congress has not made changes to the bill since 1947. Te Mexican president has reiterated his anti gambling stance many times, with talk now turned into action.
Paraguay Lawmakers discuss changes to gambling laws
Paraguay’s Chamber of Deputies has announced that it will hold a public hearing to debate a bill that aims to update the country’s gambling law. Fourteen deputies presented the bill that would change Paraguay’s gambling law (Law No.1,016/97) earlier this month. Te lawmakers put forward a number of modifications that would end the way the law allowed for monopolies in certain sectors of the gaming industry.
Te Legislation and Codification Commission, headed by Deputy Jorge Ávalos Mariño will address the bill this week. Te bill modifies articles 8, 11, 13, 21, 22 and 23 of the law. Te document seeks to correct the law which allows for a monopoly in certain cases which is in contravention of the National Constitution.
In a statement published at the time the group of lawmakers said: “Te National Gaming Commission (Conajzar) has been
awarding the exploitation of national games such as sports betting, pools, lotteries, among others, exclusively, that is, monopolistic, to a single company for a period of five years.”
Tey added that for several years those involved in the industry had expressed the need to update the law. Te most significant modification to the act is outlined in Art. 8 where it is established that “concessions will be granted to the three best bidders presented at least and that comply with the rules dictated by the competent authority, which will include the power to increase the fee.”
Tere has been increasing pressure to update Paraguay’s gambling laws. In January, the National Competition Commission, Conacom, recommended that the government review Paraguay’s gambling law because it allowed for licence holders to hold a monopoly over instants, pools, sports betting and casinos.
Puerto Rico
International Game Technology is growing its sports betting presence in Puerto Rico via a multi-year IGT PlaySports technology and services agreement with Ponce Plaza Hotel & Casino.
Located in Ponce, Puerto Rico, the casino will leverage IGT PlaySports’ technology and trading advisory services team to power Puerto Rico’s first casino brand-led retail and mobile sportsbook, PlayBets by Ponce Plaza.
“IGT has been a valued Ponce Plaza Hotel & Casino gaming equipment supplier for many years... Ponce Plaza Hotel & Casino has been serving the local community since 2008 and we could not be prouder to be the first casino operator in Puerto Rico to run and operate its own sportsbook and to give sports fans an amazing betting experience backed by a local operator who they know and trust,” said Ramon Muñoz, Ponce Plaza Hotel & Casino General Manager.
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