Fine For Brazilian Ban On Int'l Sports Bets Worth Up To $70,000

Brazilians who have made bets on foreign websites for football games "run the risk" of paying a fine of up to R$200,000 ($68,500), according to Sérgio Rangel of FOLHA DE SÃO PAULO. The expected punishment is part of a legal project that "opens online sporting bets" in Brazil only. The project will "use the game to punish" any Brazilian int'l gamblers, who spent a total of R$2B on sporting bets in '14. The laws will make the Brazilian sports betting system similar to Europe's in that it will involve the "Brazilian games, Copa do Brasil and state cups." Fundação Getulio Vargas Professor Pedro Tengrouse: "It is important to monitor this sector and maintain integrity in Brazilian football" (FOLHA DE SÃO PAULO, 3/3).