Brazilian lawmakers advance bill to ban betting on cards and fouls in football

Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies has taken measures toward outlawing wagers on specific football events such as yellow cards, fouls, and corners, to address rising concerns over match-fixing. Bill 2,842/2023, which proposes restrictions on betting markets that hinge on individual actions during football matches, received a favorable review this week from the Sports Committee of the lower house.

The measure is backed by deputies Ricardo Ayres and Daniel Agrobom and is now incorporated into Bill 4,665/2023, introduced by Congressman Felipe Carreras. The consolidated legislation would prohibit betting on so-called “individual plays,” including disciplinary actions and events that depend solely on the decision or performance of a single player.

The bill’s rapporteur, Deputy Luciano Vieira, emphasized that the restrictions are intended to prevent manipulation in Brazilian football, where allegations of match-fixing have grown more common. “It aims to reduce the incidence of unsportsmanlike behavior by athletes, referees or any other individual with significant influence over games,” he said.

The push for regulatory tightening comes at a time when high-profile investigations have rocked Brazil’s domestic football scene. One case drawing particular attention involves Lucas Paquetá of English Premier League club West Ham United, who is under scrutiny for allegedly being linked to suspicious betting patterns involving yellow cards. 

Similarly, Flamengo’s Bruno Henrique has been named in an ongoing inquiry concerning potential irregularities in in-game events.

Both players have denied any wrongdoing. Nonetheless, leaked details from investigations have fueled public skepticism and raised concerns over the vulnerability of football matches to betting-related manipulation.

“In addition to compromising the image of the sport, these practices harm the experience of passionate fans and expose good-faith bettors to financial risks,” Vieira said in the committee report. The proposal argues that curbing bets on highly specific game events will help reduce the incentive for match-fixing, as such wagers are easier to influence and more difficult to detect.

Brazil’s Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD) has already received case files from the Federal Police involving the investigation into Bruno Henrique, marking another escalation in the legal response to suspected integrity breaches in football.

The bill also sets out penalties for individuals found guilty of manipulating sporting events for betting purposes. With growing political consensus and mounting public concern, lawmakers are expected to proceed with a full Chamber vote on the bill in the coming months.