Brazil’s SENACON introduces a mandatory requirement for licensed gambling operators to register with new consumer rights platform.
The National Consumer Agency of SENACON has put a new measure in place to protect consumer resorts, legally requiring licensed operators of the Brazil Bets regime to register their businesses on Consumidor.gov.br. As well as being a free platform that will be used by SENACON to resolve consumer rights disputed, it will also facilitate communication between consumers and operators.
SENACON is typically responsible for disputes across e-commerce, financial services, automotive sales, healthcare, public utilities, and travel. Using the new platform, consumers will be able to directly file complaints against gambling operators, where businesses will then need to respond and review the complaint within 10 days of filing.
From registration to action on consumer rights
SENACON itself is not acting as an intermediary in such disputes but rather offering a platform for communication. If businesses do not respond or does not otherwise adhere to the new measures, SENACON can refer them to official authorities to impose penalties for non-compliance. According to SBC News, over 8.9 million complaints have been resolved using the platform, achieving a resolution rate of 81%.
The Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA) will work with SENACON to monitor the conduct of all licensed operators.
“The participation of betting operators on the platform Consumidor.gov.br reflects the commitment of the Ministry of Finance to ensure that all practices are carried out in accordance with legal standards, with respect for consumer-bettors,” said SPA President Régis Dudena.
This comes on the heels of the SPA updating the list of licensed gambling operators in Brazil, with any named companies allowed to operate until December 31, 2029. Newcomers include the 4Win brand from Lucky Gaming Ltda, Esporte 365, BetAki, and Jogo de Ouro.
As it stands, the SPA has approved 80 online betting licenses for operators. That number is made up of 71 licenses issued through the standard regulatory process and nine provisional licenses, accumulating in a total of 175 brands authorised to operate in the Brazilian market.
Featured image: Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
