The National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL) expresses concern about the bill presented by the leader of the Workers’ Party (PT), Congressman Lindbergh Farias. The proposal increases the tax on online gambling companies from 12% to 24%.
Therefore, ANJL considers the measure technically flawed and untimely. The organization emphasizes that the government withdrew the text that provided for this increase after extensive discussion in Congress.
ANJL maintains that doubling the tax rate on revenue does not solve the regulated sector’s challenges. Furthermore, the organization believes that the discussion must consider the practical impact on revenue, the market, and consumers. Therefore, the association advocates that the debate advance on a consistent technical and social basis, without changes that disrupt the regulatory environment.
Expected effects on the regulated market
According to the ANJL, raising the tax rate to 24% encourages the growth of illegal gambling. Thus, the measure compromises tax revenue and threatens the sustainability of licensed operators. Furthermore, the impact occurs precisely as the regulated market consolidates under the new regulatory framework.
The entity emphasizes that interventions of this type weaken companies that comply with rules, collect taxes, and invest accordingly.
However, ANJL asserts that the regulated sector requires predictability to operate. Abrupt changes in tax burdens create uncertainty and derail implementation and oversight efforts.
Debate on public health and SUS data
The parliamentarian links the increase in taxes to public health, however, ANJL points out an error in this connection and questions the data released.
Lindbergh Farias states: “2 million gambling addicts.” The ANJL reports that this number is not based on official data. The Unified Health System (SUS) reports 3,892 cases of gambling addiction (gambling addiction) from 2022 to September 2025.
The entity recognizes the importance of the issue and reports that the sector adopts preventive measures. Furthermore, operators implement betting limits, promote educational campaigns, and conduct risk monitoring.
Official note from ANJL:
“The National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL) is extremely concerned about the bill presented by the PT leader, Congressman Lindbergh Farias, which proposes increasing taxes on online sports betting and lottery companies from 12% to 24%.
The measure is technically flawed and so untimely that the text that provided for the increase was withdrawn by the government after extensive debate in Congress. Doubling the tax rate on revenue encourages the growth of illegal gambling, compromises tax collection, and threatens the sustainability of licensed operators, especially at a time when the regulated market is consolidating under the new regulatory framework.
Furthermore, the congressman is mistaken in associating this increase with public health. The figure of “2 million gambling addicts” cited by the congressman is fictitious and not based on official data—the Unified Health System (SUS) itself reports 3,892 cases of gambling addiction from 2022 to September 2025. The sector recognizes the problem and adopts preventive measures, including betting limits, educational campaigns, and risk monitoring.
Therefore, ANJL considers that the project lacks technical and social foundations and appears to be nothing more than an attempt to divert attention from important discussions taking place in Congress. ANJL condemns measures that jeopardize the recently implemented regulated market, a segment that represents a crucial activity for the country’s development.
