The discussion about banning sports betting on specific incidents, such as yellow and red cards, fouls, penalties and others, has gained prominence in several countries around the world.

While some defend this restriction as a measure to preserve the integrity of the sport, others question whether this approach is effective and can result in tangible benefits.

In many countries, sports betting is regulated differently, which is reflected in the way bets on specific plays are treated.

Some countries opt for strict bans, claiming that they prevent match-fixing and preserve the ethics of the sport. Others, on the other hand, take a more flexible approach, with regulations that allow certain types of betting.

In England , for example, bets on specific shots are widely accepted and form an integral part of the sports betting experience.

In other European countries, such as Germany , there is a more restrictive stance , with a ban on betting on certain events during a match.

In turn, in the United States, the scenario is dynamic, with the legalization of sports betting in many states.

However, restrictions still exist in some sports leagues, such as the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), which prohibits betting on specific plays during college competitions.

Here in Brazil, this type of prohibition has been debated and is the subject of Bill No. 2842/2023, which is being processed in the Chamber of Deputies.

The concern raised by the bill is not unfounded. The case of Operation ‘Maximum Penalty’ in Brazilian football exemplifies the manipulation of individual moves in sports betting .

Led by the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Goiás, the investigation revealed a scheme in which players were approached by criminal groups to influence specific events of matches in Series A and B of the Brazilian Championship and state tournaments in 2022, such as yellow cards, expulsions and penalties.

Betting on individual moves

But, after all, would banning bets on individual bids solve the problem?

Initially, it is imperative to highlight that the prohibition of betting on specific moves is widely considered, in various spheres, as a crucial measure for preserving integrity in the sporting world.

The main point of those defending this ban is to mitigate the manipulation of events during matches, thus ensuring credibility and honesty in sports scenarios.

In this context, banning betting on individual moves would play a crucial role in protecting athletes against possible external influences related to betting, thus ensuring impartiality and authenticity in their performances.

Furthermore, supporters of the thesis argue that the ban aims not only to protect the integrity of the competitions, but also to safeguard the mental and emotional health of athletes.

This is because the approach of criminals to manipulate bets on specific bids is accompanied by the argument that this type of situation would not affect the collective performance of the team.

Clear border

Furthermore, in light of this perspective, the ban could prove to be a safeguard against potential conflicts of interest that could eventually arise if athletes themselves were involved in betting related to their individual performances.

Maintaining a clear boundary between betting activities and the performance of athletes helps to preserve the impartiality and integrity of sporting competitions, preventing external pressures from compromising the natural course of events.

Another aspect to be considered, from the angle of this view, is that the ban would also act as a barrier to referees approaching for manipulation.

Referees, as key figures in the conduct of matches, hold significant power to influence the outcome through their decisions.

In this sense, if there are no clear and strict prohibitions, the temptation for manipulation by referees could increase, undermining confidence in fair play and compromising the credibility of the sport.

Therefore, from this perspective, the prohibition of betting on specific plays would not only protect the integrity of the competitions, but would also be relevant to act as a protective shield for athletes and referees, ensuring the purity of the sport and providing a more authentic and reliable experience for everyone involved.

However, we know that the ban would not prevent the possible emergence of an informal and unregulated market. It is undeniable that technological advances have transformed the sports betting landscape, expanding the opportunities for access to international websites.

In this context, the proliferation of online platforms and apps creates a considerable challenge for the enforcement of bans, as they offer easy access to a wide range of betting options, even when subject to restrictions.

The complexity of the situation would therefore require an adaptive approach that takes into account continuous advances in the digital sphere, since practices of manipulating results in specific bids can take advantage of the convenience and wide availability provided by technology, becoming more difficult to detect and control.

After all, bettors would not lose interest in this type of bet, which is often more advantageous in terms of odds .

The parallel market would have an undeniable impact on the loss of revenue for legal operators and governments. This is a serious consideration to take into account, as it raises questions about the delicate balance between sporting integrity and economic realities.

The debate is far from over. The measure faces considerable debate among lawmakers, and its implementation will depend on decisions in the next legislative stages.

The central question remains: how to find a balance between regulation and freedom of choice, preserving both the integrity of the sport and the autonomy of bettors?

Brazil, like other countries, is at a crucial moment in defining the future of sports betting and in the search for a regulatory scenario that reconciles these divergent interests.