Brazil signs Macolin Convention, first in the Americas to do so
Signed on 30 October; Brazil becomes the 44th signatory and must now seek ratification.
Key Takeaways
- Brazil signed the Macolin Convention on 30 October in Strasbourg, becoming the first country in the Americas to do so.
- Brazil is the 44th signatory of the convention; 17 countries have ratified it.
- The National Policy for the Prevention and Confrontation of Manipulation of Sports Results (PNPEMR) was introduced in March 2026.
- Brazil must submit the convention to the National Congress for approval and complete ratification before becoming a full party.
Brazil signed the Macolin Convention against match-fixing on 30 October, becoming the first country in the Americas to put its name to the treaty. The Brazilian ambassador to France, Ricardo Neiva Tavares, signed the agreement at the Council of Europe headquarters in Strasbourg in the presence of Secretary General Alain Berset. The government must now submit the treaty to the National Congress for approval and complete ratification before Brazil becomes a full party.
What Brazil signed and when
The Macolin Convention, opened for signatures by the Council of Europe in Macolin, Switzerland in 2014 and entered into force in September 2019, establishes international cooperation on suspicious sports betting activity and match-fixing investigations. Brazil is the 44th country to sign the convention; 17 countries have completed ratification. Australia and Morocco are cited among non-European signatories.
How this links to Brazil's domestic framework
Brazil has pursued domestic measures addressing sports integrity ahead of the signing. In March 2026 the government introduced the National Policy for the Prevention and Confrontation of Manipulation of Sports Results (PNPEMR), which sets out rules for detecting, monitoring, investigating and preventing sports fraud. The Ministry of Sport coordinates PNPEMR alongside the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Justice, with support from the Federal Police.
The Federal Government prepared to join the Macolin Convention from 2025. The National Secretariat for Sports Betting completed a technical assessment and the government formally announced its intentions in September 2025. National Secretary of Sports Betting Giovanni Rocco said:
"Brazil is taking an important step in protecting the integrity of sports. We have already made progress with the creation of the National Policy for the Prevention and Combat of Match-Fixing in Sports. Now, with the signing of the Macolin Convention, we are expanding the possibilities for international cooperation. This work strengthens the fight against fraud and helps protect athletes, clubs and fans." — Giovanni Rocco
Brazil’s regulated online sports betting market began operating under federal licensing in January 2025. International information sharing envisaged by the convention creates a framework for countries to exchange data on suspicious betting patterns, coordinate investigations and improve cooperation between gambling operators and sports authorities. One convention requirement is establishing national platforms that bring together regulators, law enforcement, betting companies and sports organisations to identify possible manipulation and share information across borders.
Next steps for Brazil
The signed treaty now moves to the legislative phase: the executive must present the convention to the National Congress for approval followed by the formal ratification process. Only after ratification will Brazil become a full party to the Macolin Convention.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Brazil sign the Macolin Convention and who signed on its behalf?
Brazil signed the Macolin Convention on 30 October; the agreement was signed in Strasbourg by Brazilian ambassador to France Ricardo Neiva Tavares in the presence of Secretary General Alain Berset.
How many countries have signed and ratified the Macolin Convention?
Brazil is the 44th country to sign the Macolin Convention and 17 countries have completed ratification.
What domestic measures has Brazil already taken against match-fixing?
Brazil introduced the National Policy for the Prevention and Confrontation of Manipulation of Sports Results (PNPEMR) in March 2026, coordinated by the Ministry of Sport with the Ministries of Finance and Justice and support from the Federal Police.
Does signing the Macolin Convention make Brazil a full party?
Signing does not make Brazil a full party; the government must submit the treaty to the National Congress for approval and then complete the ratification process.
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About the author
Eleanor Whitfield
Regulatory Affairs Correspondent
Eleanor Whitfield tracks gambling legislation, licensing decisions, and regulator enforcement across key markets — from the UKGC, MGA, and Germany's GGL to Spain's DGOJ and the state-by-state map in the Americas. The reporting answers three questions precisely: what changed, where, and who it affects, with jurisdictions, effective dates, and penalty figures named exactly as published. Compliance officers and operators read Eleanor Whitfield to know which rulebook moved before their next board meeting.
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