In a dramatic turn of events, businessman Daniel Pardim Tavares Lima was arrested on April 29, 2025, during a session of the Parliamentary Inquiry Commission (CPI) investigating irregularities in the online betting sector. The arrest, which took place amidst a heated testimony, was initiated by Senator Soraya Thronicke (Podemos-MS), who accused Lima of providing false testimony regarding his business relationships.
According to Senator Thronicke, Lima lied when he claimed not to know his business partner, Adélia de Jesus Soares. The two are involved in a company named Peach Blossom River Technology, which has connections to another firm, Payflow, that operates in the digital payments sector for online betting. The Payflow company is currently under investigation by the Civil Police of the Federal District for allegations of money laundering and illegal financial transfers.
“He started lying from the beginning, saying he didn’t know his partners. He lied three or four times, and we gave him a chance, repeating the questions. No one forms a partnership with someone they don’t know,” Senator Thronicke stated, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. She further added, “He took an oath to tell the truth, but he cannot omit known issues. What we cannot allow is this disrespect within a CPI of the largest legislative house in the country.”
The arrest was ratified by the president of the CPI, Senator Dr. Hiran Gonçalves (PP-RR), who ordered the legislative police to execute the arrest. Lima was taken to the Senate Police, where the arrest report was filed. Following the incident, Lima's defense team condemned the arrest as “arbitrary” and “illegal,” stating they would appeal the decision.
Under Brazilian law, providing false testimony in a CPI can result in a prison sentence of two to four years, along with fines. During the hearing, senators pressed Lima about the operations of Peach Blossom River Technology, which is implicated in financial dealings with online betting platforms. Despite the evidence, Lima denied any connection to Payflow, a claim that senators find dubious given the documents and testimonies presented.
Senator Thronicke also indicated suspicions that Lima might be acting as a “laranja,” a term used to describe someone who lends their name to a company without actually managing it. This assertion was echoed by other senators, including Izalci Lucas (PL-DF) and Damares Alves (Republicanos-DF), who suggested that Lima’s involvement in multiple companies, including those abroad, raises further questions about his role in the betting sector.
“You have a unique chance to cooperate with the CPI and improve your image. The damage to your name has already been done,” Senator Alves remarked, urging Lima to reconsider his approach. Senator Lucas noted that companies in the betting industry often establish payment institutions to manage their funds, hinting at a broader network of financial misconduct within the sector.
The CPI das Bets was launched in November 2024, primarily to investigate the potential associations between the betting sector and criminal organizations, as well as illicit practices. The inquiry became particularly relevant following the regulatory changes that began in 2018 and were fully implemented in January 2025, which aimed to bring clarity to an industry that had operated in a legal gray area for years.
As the investigation unfolds, the CPI plans to present legislative proposals aimed at improving the sector and safeguarding the Brazilian public from potential harms associated with online betting. Senator Dr. Hiran assured that the commission would work diligently to uncover the truth and address the issues plaguing the industry.
In a related matter, Adélia Soares, Lima's business partner, was also summoned to testify before the CPI but failed to appear. Soares is known to be the attorney for influencer Deolane Bezerra, who similarly did not respond to the CPI’s summons earlier in April.
Following the arrest, Senator Thronicke faced criticism from some quarters, with allegations of abuse of authority being levied against her. However, she maintained that the actions taken were within legal bounds and expressed confidence in her decisions regarding the proceedings. “If it’s abuse of authority, I will respond to that with the utmost tranquility in the world,” she asserted, defending her conduct during the session.
As the CPI continues its work, it remains to be seen how the testimonies and evidence presented will shape the future of the online betting landscape in Brazil. The implications of this inquiry could lead to significant changes in legislation and the operational frameworks governing the industry.
With the stakes high and public interest piqued, the developments surrounding the CPI das Bets will undoubtedly be closely monitored by both the media and the public in the coming weeks.
