CADE Lauches First Investigation into Online Betting Platforms

The controversial sports betting market have reached CADE. CADE has just opened its first investigation against an online betting operator. The focus is on 7K Bet and Santos Futebol Clube, under suspicion of violations to the economic order. The investigation seeks to determine whether a joint promotion – tickets for a match against Corinthians conditional on bets of at least R$ 70 on the operator’s website – constituted a tying practice.

The campaign, promoted on the club’s social media channels, promised a ticket worth R$ 200 for only R$ 70, provided it was linked to the bet. The initiative also triggered an alert at the Ministry of Finance, which, through the Undersecretary for Monitoring and Oversight of the Secretariat for Prizes and Betting, will investigate possible violations of the so-called Responsible Gaming Regulation, which prohibits offers that may induce excessive gambling.

This content is part of the Monthly Competition and Antitrust Bulletin. Also check the other highlights of the month: A New Tool to Deepen the Competition Debate, CADE Launches First Investigation into Online Betting Platforms, CADE Investigates Gun-Jumping in the Formation of Soccer Leagues, CADE Reviews Fine Imposed on Rumo and Reinforces Its Stance on Proportionality in Unilateral Conduct, CADE Changes Its Stance on Codeshare Agreements and Orders Notification and Brazilian Government Proposes New Competition Regulation for Digital Platforms.