In an exclusive interview at the CNN Brasil Money studios, Marco Tulio Oliveira, CEO of Ana Gaming – the holding company that operates the brands 7K Bet, Cassino Bet and Vera Bet, brought a blunt analysis of the current scenario in the betting sector in Brazil.
At a time of legal and fiscal scrutiny, the executive highlighted that the industry’s main agenda today is the fight against the illegal market, but warned that the increase in taxation could have the opposite effect to that desired.
During the hearing, Oliveira detailed how the “staircase” increase in rates on GGR (Gross Gaming Revenue) — which rose from 12% to 13% this year, expected to reach 15% — puts the viability of licensed operators at risk. For the CEO, Brazil has one of the best regulatory structures in the world, but is at risk of “going over the limit”.
“The legal operator followed all the rules to operate for five years, but the rule changed midway. If we continue with this tax increase, the tendency is to encourage the illegal market”, stated Marco Tulio.
Photo: CNN Brasil/Reproduction
According to the executive, it is estimated that 50% of the Brazilian market is still illegal. “If we reduce illegality by half, we will increase revenue by 50% without having to raise taxes”, he pointed out.
The CEO also explained that the weight of taxes (which reach 30%-40% of total revenue), added to high compliance costs, forces the legal operator to reduce investments in sport, culture and offer less competitive odds.
This would push bettors towards unofficial platforms, which do not pay taxes and operate without consumer protection guarantees.
World Cup and economic impact
With 2026 being a World Cup year, the sector is experiencing a moment of global traction. Oliveira highlighted that the industry is already a real economic engine for Brazil, citing that in just the first two months of 2026, company contributions totaled around R$2.5 billion to the public coffers — amounts that did not exist two years ago.
Responsibility and conscious consumption
Asked about the social impacts and criticisms about the compromise of family income, the CEO of Ana Gaming adopted a transparent stance.
“Excessive consumption of any product or service is harmful. We have to take care of this industry in the same way we take care of the beverage industry. The focus must be on safe entertainment and being careful with excess, separating responsible gambling from harmful practices”, he pointed out.
Marco Tulio Oliveira also defended a “hand in hand” approach between public authorities and industry to mitigate social risks.
For the CEO of Ana Gaming, the sector should be treated as an entertainment industry that competes with several other leisure options. Requiring a careful look at the portion of the population that exceeds the limits of healthy consumption.
“The way to deal with the industry is to get involved with it, understand the numbers and take care of that minimum portion that leaves entertainment and goes to excess. Operators have every interest in being supported in this care, especially because we have already developed several of our own actions to establish and reinforce the limits that already exist,” explained Oliveira.
