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REGULATION
BRAZIL : HOW DOES RELIGION INFLUENCE GAMBLING REGULATION ?
Following the longawaited regulation of igaming and sports betting in Brazil , Marese O ’ Hagan explores the impact of religion on attitudes towards gambling – and the progress of gambling legislation – in the country .
I n Latin America , somewhat surprisingly , no country has an official state religion . However , with many Christian denominations prevalent in the region , LatAm is synonymous with the faith .
“ The Latin American people are , for the most part , Christian ,” says Magnho José , editor of BNLData and president of the Instituto Brasileiro Jogo Legal . “ In most countries , this figure exceeds 80 %, including Catholics and evangelicals .” And according to both José and Hugo Baungartner , chief commercial officer at Aposta Ganha , religion is having an increasing impact on politics in the region .
“ Currently , the strength of religion on the continent and the advancement of a religious influence in institutional politics is notorious and more and more religious people , whether progressive or reactionary , have come together to propagate their projects in the public sphere ,” José explains .
“[ Religious ] influence has been growing year by year with the increase of different religion types ,” Baungartner continues . “ Nowadays they even have their own politicians , including forming groups to execute their power and influence .”
INFLUENCE ON BRAZIL ’ S LEGISLATIVE OUTCOMES
Few LatAm countries have seen religious influence on their gambling policy like Brazil , despite it being a religiously free country and one that even boasts a national day – 7 January – devoted to the principle .
According to the Global Religion 2023 study , among the 26 countries surveyed Brazil has the highest percentage of citizens who believe in God or a higher power , at 89 %. Predictably , this has bled into the country ’ s political regime .
“ Over the last 82 years , several topics have caused controversy in Brazil and among them is the legalisation of gambling ,” explains José . “ Those who do not live in Brazil will have difficulty understanding the lack of objectivity and common sense of Brazilian politicians when it comes to gambling . Religious issues end up contaminating and distorting the debate .”
Brazil has been rocked by the evangelical movement over the last few years , with around a third of its
iGB L ! VE 2024 • ISSUE 136 • 79