Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming (IBJR) executive director Fernando Vieira has announced his departure from the trade body.
Vieira first joined the IBJR in October 2024, witnessing Brazil transition to a regulated market on 1 January 2025 during his tenure.
Prior to moving into the gambling industry, Vieira spent 16 years in various roles at tobacco giant Philip Morris between August 2008 and February 2024.
He initially joined as head of fiscal affairs and international trade for Philip Morris International, a role he would hold until May 2012.
He then moved to head of institutional, government and regulatory affairs at Philip Morris Brazil from July 2012 to July 2014.
Vieira would eventually serve as the firm’s public affairs and communication director between June 2016 and February 2024.
Writing on LinkedIn about his departure, Vieira said: “I joined the IBJR in October 2024 and, since March of this year, I have served as its executive chairman.
“I had the opportunity to bring to this position my experience in various countries and cultures and an experience in highly regulated and complex markets.
“These last few months have been especially rich, given the regulatory environment that is increasingly challenging in Brazil. Even so, in a short time, the IBJR expanded its representativeness, with the arrival of new members and associates.
“Together, we started the creation of a new sector, with pioneering regulation, with a few months of implementation and, therefore, still maturing. We work hard to create a safe, honest and sustainable environment for bettors and to establish a relentless fight against underground betting.”
Vieira added that he was leaving the IBJR to pursue a “new professional challenge”.
He continued: “As life brings us unexpected surprises, I say goodbye to the IBJR today, with the feeling of accomplishment, of having taken the entity to another level with professionalism, tireless dedication and, above all, with the support of the friends I made along the way.”
One of the last initiatives introduced by the IBJR during Vieira’s tenure was its Chega de Bode na Sala campaign, designed to steer bettors towards regulated operators approved by Brazil’s Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA).
The campaign consists of ads broadcast across TV and radio, an airport banner and a targeted rollout across social media.
Part of the campaign saw the IBJR launch its BetAlert tool, which allows customers to quickly check if the platform they’re using is regulated by the federal government.
Regarding BetAlert, Vieira said: “IBJR welcomes tools and technology that spread the word about the industry. BetAlert is highly significant, and we expect it to be widely used by bettors and by Brazilian society.
“It’s our role to ensure access to all the benefits of regulation, with player protection as the focal point.”
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The post Brazilian trade body’s executive director announces exit first appeared on EGR Intel.
Fernando Vieira to step away from his position with the Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming after 11 months
The post Brazilian trade body’s executive director announces exit first appeared on EGR Intel.