Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has directed his government to pursue higher taxes on betting companies, government leader Randolfe Rodrigues said. He said officials had not decided how to return the proposal to Congress; a previous measure proposing an 18% levy was rejected, leaving the rate at 12%.
A renewed tax proposal could change betting companies’ tax burden in Brazil.
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Brazil Finance Minister Dario Durigan called for stricter betting regulation, higher taxes and tighter advertising limits, saying the sector’s growth had become a government concern. In an interview, he argued against a full ban because it could push activity into illegal channels and said the government had asked the Comptroller General of the Union to help review cases and disclose data proactively.
Brazilian betting CEO Marco Tulio Oliveira said rising taxes could undermine efforts to reduce illegal betting. Brazil’s GGR tax rate has risen from 12% to 13%, and could reach 15% next year; Oliveira estimated that about 50% of the market remains unregulated. He also said operators generated approximately BRL 2.5 billion in tax revenue during the first two months of 2026.
Brazil’s Federal Revenue Service projected R$260 million in revenue from an increase in gross gaming revenue taxation for betting operators. Secretary Robinson Barreirinhas said tax measures affecting betting, fintechs and interest on equity are expected to generate R$4.4 billion in total.
EBAC co-founder Ricardo Magri argued that Brazil’s increased tax burden could push betting activity towards the parallel market. He also criticised the tax and concession costs, and said regulated operators need to adapt responsible-gambling communications for different audiences.
A Genial/Quaest poll released on 19 December found that 55% of respondents supported higher taxes on banks, billionaires and betting companies in Brazil; 34% opposed the measure and 11% did not know or declined to answer. The survey covered 2,004 people in 120 municipalities from 11 to 14 December, with a two-point margin of error. The report said a Senate-approved bill proposing a gradual rise in betting taxation from 12% to 15% was awaiting President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s sanction.