Cuiabá president rejects betting sponsorships

Cristiano Dresch, president of the Brazilian football club Cuiabá, has stated that the team has remained without a master jersey sponsor for nearly two years due to a refusal to partner with betting companies. Dresch described the betting segment as “criminal,” alleging that these companies exploit individuals, cause suicides, and “destroy families.” He noted that previous sponsors had also requested that the club avoid contracts with betting firms.

Instead of pursuing gambling sponsorships, the club is seeking closer ties with the agribusiness sector. Cuiabá is currently developing a campaign to promote ethanol, a major product of the Mato Grosso region. During a recent Série B match against Goiás, the team featured a “Movido a Etanol” (Powered by Ethanol) message on its uniform.

Despite the lack of a primary sponsor, Dresch indicated that the club remains financially stable through television revenue, existing sponsorships, and player transfers, with an expected R$ 30 million in cash from player sales by the end of the year. However, the club continues to manage financial obligations inherited from its time in Série A.