Brazil's Fabio Macorin Joins International Association of Gaming Regulators Board

The global network of gambling authorities is expanding its leadership to include key figures from emerging markets. Fabio Macorin, the Deputy Secretary of Brazil’s gambling regulator (SPA), has officially joined the Board of Trustees of the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR). This appointment comes at a crucial time for Brazil, which launched its comprehensive betting regulatory framework in January 2025. Macorin, who joined the Ministry of Finance in 2024, has been at the center of this transformation, focusing on operator monitoring and the fight against illegal gambling activities. His transition to the IAGR board highlights the strategic importance of Brazil’s massive betting market.

Macorin’s background is uniquely suited for the complexities of modern gambling oversight. Before his tenure at the Ministry of Finance, he served 17 years with the Brazilian Federal Police, including a decade dedicated to investigating financial fraud. This investigative pedigree is expected to bolster IAGR’s efforts in countering money laundering and terrorist financing. As gambling platforms operate increasingly without borders, the need for regulators to share intelligence and best practices has never been higher. Macorin views his new role as a vital opportunity for knowledge exchange, ensuring that Brazil’s rapid regulatory evolution benefits from global standards while contributing its own unique insights.

Numbers and facts

Brazil’s regulatory journey has been remarkably swift but faces ongoing political shifts. The industry is barely two years old, yet it is already subject to legislative debates, with President Lula da Silva’s government considering bans on online casinos. Macorin’s experience in navigating these pressures while maintaining focus on licensed operator integrity will be a key asset to the IAGR. His formal introduction as a board member will take place at the IAGR Annual Conference in Lima, Peru, scheduled for 19-22 October. The board is structured to maintain regional representation, ensuring that no single region dominates the global discourse on gambling safety.

"Brazil has learned enormously from the experience of regulators around the world while building our own regulatory framework, and I see IAGR as one of the most important forums for this exchange of knowledge. Although each jurisdiction has its own legal system, market characteristics, and regulatory priorities, many of the challenges we face are increasingly global." - Fabio Macorin, Deputy Secretary of SPA and IAGR Trustee

Background

Ben Haden, President of IAGR, emphasized that Macorin’s appointment brings a critical South American viewpoint to the organization. The IAGR serves as a hub for regulators to confront shared threats, such as the integrity of sports betting and the protection of vulnerable consumers. Brazil’s ambitious transformation in a short period provides a case study for other nations. By including Macorin, the IAGR ensures that the regulatory voice of one of the world’s largest growing markets is heard. The association continues to fill vacancies across various regions, including Africa, Asia, and Europe, to maintain a diverse and effective leadership team through the 2028 term.

Why it matters for German players

For players in Germany, the strengthening of international regulatory bodies like IAGR is a positive development for safety and fairness. Germany operates under the GlüStV 2021, which mandates strict player protections, including a 1,000 Euro monthly deposit limit and the LUGAS monitoring system. When regulators like Macorin coordinate globally, it becomes harder for unlicensed offshore operators to target German residents. The exchange of data on illegal activities helps the German Joint Gambling Authority of the Laender (GGL) maintain a clean market. This ensures that German players can continue to rely on the GGL whitelist as the gold standard for secure online gambling.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

Licensed operators in Germany benefit from a more stable international environment. When major markets like Brazil implement rigorous AML (Anti-Money Laundering) and fraud prevention standards, it levels the playing field for legitimate businesses. GGL-licensed casinos, which adhere to strict 1 Euro per spin limits and extensive reporting requirements, are often at a disadvantage compared to unregulated black-market sites. Global cooperation through the IAGR helps shut down these illegal competitors. Macorin’s focus on operator monitoring and cross-border integrity supports the mission of GGL-licensed casinos to provide a transparent and safe entertainment product within the legal framework.