One aspect of the new regulations for the betting industry has generated significant changes for betting companies, with increased taxation. According to assessments by companies in the sector, the new rules make it more difficult to operate illegal betting operations, which until now were beyond the reach of regulation.
What changed
Under the new law, banks, fintech companies, and payment processors become liable if they continue to facilitate transactions for illegal betting sites after being notified by the Ministry of Treasury.
In this way, the focus shifts from just the clandestine platforms to also include the system that allows the circulation of money.
Currently, it is estimated that almost 50% of bets in Brazil still take place on unauthorized platforms, which operate without paying taxes or following consumer protection regulations.
According to André Gelfi, director of the Brazilian Institute for Responsible Gaming (IBJR), the rules bring more integrity to the national market. “The tax increase is not good news. But the law creates responsibilities that come at a good time,” he explains.
Lula expresses concern about online gambling.
At an event at the Mint in Rio de Janeiro, which took place on the 16th, Lula associated the growth of online betting with effects that he considers harmful, mainly due to the reach of this market.
Thus, he highlighted the change in scenery which, in his assessment, brought gambling into people’s homes.
“For a long time I heard the discourse that casinos were prohibited. Casinos are gambling, they can’t be allowed, because the poor will spend money. Brazil couldn’t even have illegal gambling. Now, what happened? Casinos entered our homes with this number of betting options that were created,” commented the president.
The federal government regulated online betting in January 2025. In this new scenario, the Central Bank’s work in this area involves monitoring the financial system, of which regulated betting sites are a part, to prevent money laundering and fraud.
Revenue from the betting sector in 2025
The federal government collected R$ 9.95 billion in taxes from betting companies in 2025. The revenue includes the 12% tax rate on gross gaming revenue, the GGR (Gross Gaming Revenue).
Furthermore, the collection took into account IRPJ (Corporate Income Tax), CSLL (Social Contribution on Net Profit), PIS (Social Integration Program) and Cofins (Contribution to Social Security Financing).
The Federal Revenue Service released the statistics last Thursday (22).
