Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, Global CEO of SIGA and Chairman & CEO of SIGA LATIN AMERICA, recently gave an exclusive interview to G&M News, in which he addressed key issues concerning the regulation of sports betting in Brazil. Drawing on a global perspective, he emphasized the need for robust legislation, cross-sector cooperation, and the implementation of SIGA’s Universal Standards on Sport Integrity to protect sport from corruption and organized crime.
The interview also covered SIGA’s strategic partnerships in Brazil, the growing challenges posed by match-fixing, and the integrity risks associated with Esports. As part of SIGA’s commitment to transparency and knowledge-sharing, we have translated the full interview into English, available below.
Click to read the Interview by Leticia Navarro, journalist at G&M News, in Portuguese.
The Sport Integrity Global Alliance is a renowned international organization focused on promoting best practices, inclusion, ethics, and integrity in sport. How does the Alliance view its current role and actions in Latin America, particularly in Brazil, in relation to these principles?
SIGA LATIN AMERICA has played a leading and decisive role in promoting and safeguarding sport across Brazil and the wider Latin American region. It is widely recognized as a credible partner and key player in the ongoing structural transformation of sport in this part of the world. In Brazil specifically, we have established a number of critical institutional and strategic partnerships involving the Federal Government, Congress, the Office of the Comptroller General, the sports movement, businesses (at least those truly committed to the values of integrity in sport), media, and civil society at large.
We pursue a clear, forward-looking vision based on SIGA’s Universal Standards on Sport Integrity and the resulting certification of sports organizations. Only through a responsible approach, a strong reformist drive, and independent scrutiny can Brazilian sport free itself from risky practices, grow stronger, and achieve the recognition and trust it so urgently requires. There’s no denying that progress is being made, but we are also fully aware of the significant work still ahead. Above all, we need confederations, federations, and clubs to demonstrate — through action, not empty words — that they genuinely want to evolve and reach the top.
Brazil is a global powerhouse in every respect. Does it make sense for its sports sector to still be governed in the 21st century as if it were stuck in the 19th? Absolutely not.
In March 2024, we signed a Cooperation Agreement with the CBF. I waited a full year for a reply to the letters I had sent to the previous President to initiate this process, but that reply never came. Now, under new leadership at CBF, I am confident things will be different and that we will indeed move forward. Brazil has everything to gain, but it can no longer delay reforms that are already decades overdue. That’s where SIGA and SIGA LATIN AMERICA come in. The “Independent Study on the Future of Brazilian Football” that we are preparing for Congress will be a turning point.
In recent years, the online betting market has grown exponentially in Latin America, especially in Brazil. Along with this growth, criminal infiltration has emerged, threatening the integrity of sport through schemes like match-fixing. In your view, what is at the root of this issue, and how can it be effectively addressed?
What’s happening in Brazil mirrors what’s unfolding globally. This is a systemic, transnational problem that is increasingly complex and sophisticated — and often involves organized crime. To prevent and combat it effectively, we need a robust, modern, and fit-for-purpose global legislative approach. This must be not only global but also coordinated, action-oriented, and focused on achieving tangible results.
We need the right tools — legislative, operational, and financial. No stakeholder can be left out of this effort: governments, international organizations, the sports movement, regulators, betting operators, and law enforcement and judicial authorities all have non-negotiable responsibilities. Until this happens, criminals will continue to exploit vulnerabilities in the sports system, regulatory gaps, weak internal controls, and more.
That’s why partial responses won’t work. The implementation of SIGA’s Universal Standards — which serve as a “blueprint” — is essential and game-changing. Fortunately, the excellent cooperation we have established with public authorities (as reflected in cooperation agreements with both the Ministry of Sport and the Ministry of Finance), sports organizations, and the betting sector is producing solid results and reinforces our belief that we are on the right path.
To summarize, the solution must include the following components:
a) Robust legislation that meets current challenges and works at both national and global levels;
b) Creation of cross-sector, multi-stakeholder platforms to coordinate integrity policies and monitor the betting market, including early detection of suspicious betting patterns;
c) Adoption and implementation of SIGA’s Universal Standards on betting integrity, good governance, financial integrity, and athlete protection;
d) Education and training for sports organizations, executives, athletes, coaches, and others with privileged access.
Esports is a booming global industry with millions of fans and significant revenue. As betting operators explore this space, is this sector also exposed to illegal activity? What’s the current outlook?
The rise of Esports is impressive from every angle, but as you rightly point out, the sector is not immune to integrity threats. A key vulnerability stems from the absence of a global regulatory ecosystem. Today’s Esports scene is marked by fragmented competitions, unstable rules, weak governance, and limited preparation of young athletes to deal with reputational and ethical risks.
Match-fixing is indeed a present and growing risk. That’s why I stress the urgent need to adopt SIGA’s Universal Standards — they are the true “silver bullet.” Additionally, SIGA advocates for the creation of a global Esports-specific integrity code, based on voluntary commitment and supervised compliance. We also promote partnerships with game publishers and streaming platforms to implement safeguards against fraud and other integrity risks.
Moreover, we support the development of prevention and awareness programs to help train talent and develop digital athlete agencies. These are some of the measures under active development in our Integrity and Betting Committees, both within SIGA and SIGA LATIN AMERICA, as well as through our partnership with the Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC).
Is there a model of monitoring and regulation that you believe could best protect sport integrity, particularly from a legal and regulatory standpoint?
There’s no magic solution, but clearly, the ideal system requires systemic governance and institutional interoperability. This could involve the establishment of a Multisector Integrity Council bringing together government, sports entities, integrity organizations, betting monitoring services, and other relevant stakeholders with legitimacy and value to add.
Technology will be a major asset here. For example, adopting blockchain to ensure traceability of betting transactions and other sports-linked financial flows will become inevitable. While it poses significant challenges — which I’d be happy to explore further in another conversation — institutionalizing secure whistleblowing channels and ongoing sport intelligence analysis could be powerful contributions.
All of this, of course, must be supported by sufficient resources to enable oversight bodies to fulfill their responsibilities, and reinforced cooperation both nationally and internationally. As I’ve said before, continuous education, training, and capacity building are essential — because the best and most effective approach is to prevent problems before they arise.
Do you believe that with appropriate regulation and leadership from the Federal Government, Brazil could become a global benchmark in sports betting legislation? How do you foresee the future of this industry in Brazil?
Yes, I do — and I’ve said so many times. I bring 32 years of experience in this field, leading national, continental, and global organizations. Without false modesty, I know what works and what doesn’t. That’s why I can confidently say that in recent years, Brazil has positioned itself as a global reference. Much remains to be done, but the progress made by the Government — particularly in partnership with organizations like SIGA — deserves recognition.
One thing is clear: if the process is driven solely by revenue collection, we will miss a historic opportunity. But if Brazil enshrines mechanisms for integrity, financial transparency, social accountability, operator responsibility, and athlete protection — such as those proposed by SIGA — alongside a fair, proportional, and balanced tax framework that does not stifle the industry, then it can become an even more prominent global leader.
SIGA LATIN AMERICA is fully prepared to support this journey, offering deep expertise and strategic alliances.
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ABOUT SIGA
SIGA is the world’s leading organisation for Sport Integrity. We are creating a whole new landscape for the sports industry by delivering independent global rating and certification for world Sport to ensure it is governed and operates under the highest integrity standards: The SIGA Universal Standards.
Funded by our Members, SIGA is a non for profit global independent organisation with one aim: To ensure the sport industry is governed under the highest integrity standards so that the values of sport are protected.
SIGA is the only organisation to bring together sport, governments, academia, international organisations, sponsors, business, rights holders, NGOs and professional services companies, from every region in the world, around a common cause of fostering greater integrity throughout sport.
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