Brazil launches SINAPO to unify betting and lottery rules

Brazil has taken another step toward consolidating its betting and lottery regulatory framework. On January 28th, the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets at the Ministry of Finance (SPA/MF) officially launched the National Forum for Systematization of Bets (SINAPO), an institutional mechanism aimed at harmonizing betting rules and practices across the country. The move was formalized under Ordinance SPA/MF No. 227, published in the Federal Official Gazette on January 29th.

The creation of SINAPO coincides with one of the final acts of Regis Anderson Dudena as head of SPA. On the same day, Dudena was appointed Secretary of Economic Reforms at the Ministry of Finance, marking the conclusion of a tenure that played a pivotal role in structuring Brazil’s regulated betting industry.

Purpose: Harmonized Rules and Legal Certainty

SINAPO was established to “articulate, integrate, and promote dialogue between the Union, the States and the Federal District regarding the operation of lottery modalities.” Its aim is to create more consistent rules across the industry, which operates under a constitutional framework that allows state lotteries alongside federal oversight.

Key objectives of SINAPO include: exchanging best practices, coordinating joint actions, integrating strategic data and strengthening legal certainty, transparency and integrity in both lottery and betting operations. The SPA intends for SINAPO to reduce regulatory fragmentation and provide clarity for operators and regulators alike.

Governance and Structure

SINAPO will be coordinated by the SPA and will include representatives from the federal government, the states and the Federal District. The SPA will be represented by its Secretary as the principal member and its Deputy Secretary as the alternate.

States and the Federal District can join SINAPO by signing an adhesion term outlining their respective rights and responsibilities, which the SPA will make available within 45 days. The forum does not require a minimum number of members to convene and its recommendations are non-binding and consultative, emphasizing coordination rather than supervision.

Meetings and Working Groups

SINAPO is expected to meet quarterly, with extraordinary sessions held as necessary. Meetings may take place in-person, online, or in hybrid format. Participation is limited to formally designated representatives, although SPA may invite other public, private or civil society participants when appropriate.

Up to five Thematic Debate Forums may be formed, each lasting three months with the option to renew for an additional three months. These working groups will focus on specific issues related to lottery and betting operations, complementing the regular SINAPO meetings.

Dudena’s Legacy and Strategic Significance

The establishment of SINAPO represents a symbolic milestone in Dudena’s leadership at SPA, reflecting his role in shaping Brazil’s betting regulations through decrees, ordinances and operational frameworks. By emphasizing coordination across federative entities rather than centralization, SINAPO is positioned as a key tool for regulatory consistency and sustainability within Brazil’s betting and lottery sector.

As Dudena assumes his new role at the Ministry of Finance, SINAPO stands as a testament to a cooperative, consultative approach to betting regulation and a strategic step in unifying Brazil’s legal and operational framework for the industry.