Only 10% of testimonies heard amid calls for more time to investigate industry irregularities
Senators leading Brazil’s Parliamentary Inquiry Commission (CPI) into alleged irregularities in the betting sector are pushing for a 130-day extension to their investigation, warning that the current timeline is insufficient to carry out a thorough inquiry.
Initially formed in November 2024, the CPI was already granted a 45-day extension in April, extending its deadline to 14 June 2025. However, as the current expiration date looms, Senator Soraya Thronicke, who is spearheading the commission, claims that the investigation is only 10% complete, with just 19 out of over 190 approved witnesses having been heard.
Time Running Out for Key Testimonies
Thronicke, voicing frustration, noted that the short time frame combined with delays in scheduling hearings and bureaucratic inefficiencies have severely hindered the commission’s progress. She emphasized that the limited progress is not due to a lack of effort but a lack of institutional support and flexibility.
“I will deliver my work, but not in the way I imagined,” Thronicke stated. “I believe dialogue can solve all these issues.”
Some key witnesses, including influencer Luan Kovarik (Jon Vlogs)—a significant figure in promoting gambling content—have not yet been heard. Others have invoked legal protections to avoid testifying, while some hearings were disrupted by travel schedules or procedural delays.
Extension Pending Senate Approval
Although more than one-third of senators have signed off on the proposed 130-day extension, the request is awaiting formalisation in the Senate system and must be read by Senate President Davi Alcolumbre to become official.
Senator Thronicke has hinted at possibly seeking judicial intervention but prefers to resolve the matter diplomatically. “I can file an injunction, but I do not want to judicialize this,” she remarked.
Political Pressure and Missed Opportunities
Senator Eduardo Girão, another supporter of the extension, raised concerns about political interests potentially interfering with the CPI’s mission.
“It seems the CPI wants to end it no matter what… I don’t know if this is reaching some powerful people,” he said.
The Commission is also losing a full week of work due to the BRICS Parliamentary Forum, scheduled from 3–5 June, further tightening the investigation timeline.
Critics have pointed out that the delayed resumption of sessions in 2025, with the first meeting held only on 11 March, wasted valuable time that could have been used to gather testimonies and evidence.
Betting Advertising Under Scrutiny
This legislative inquiry comes amid Brazil’s tightening of gambling regulations, including a ban on using celebrities, influencers, and athletes in gambling advertisements—a measure that reflects broader concerns about the social impact of unregulated betting.
As Brazil’s gaming market rapidly evolves, the outcome of this investigation could play a critical role in shaping the legal and regulatory landscape for years to come. But for now, its future depends on whether the Senate grants the time needed to finish the job.
