In a recent opinion article published in Folha de São Paulo, Wesley Cardia, former president of the National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL), brought to light a blunt analysis of the current scenario and challenges of betting in Brazil.
According to the expert, the sector, which began operating under strict government regulations at the beginning of 2025, has already demonstrated immense revenue potential for the State.
In the last year alone, the regulated market injected more than R$9.95 billion into public coffers in the form of taxes, with significant collection numbers continuing this year.
However, Cardia warns that this revenue could be significantly higher if there was no unfair competition from thousands of clandestine websites operating completely outside the law.
Why banning betting in Brazil is not the solution
Cardia explains that, currently, the gaming industry is facing intense attacks and there are proposals in the National Congress that defend a total ban on the activity, under the justification of protecting the financial and mental health of families.
However, the former president of ANJL explains that this offensive has a strong electoral bias.
According to him, with the cost of living worrying most voters, the government is trying to shift the blame for population debt to the gaming sector, omitting responsibility for the high public debt and high interest rates.
According to Cardia, a simple prohibition does not eliminate public demand, it only transfers it underground, removing consumer protection and nullifying the State’s inspection capacity.
“The problem is with illegal gambling, and not with the one that follows all the rules”, says the author.
The devastating impact of the underground market
While a select group of 87 companies strictly comply with current legal requirements, a multitude of illicit platforms operate without any regulation.
These clandestine companies do not collect taxes, allow access to minors, accept resources from social programs and often commit fraud against users.
According to Cardia, this maneuver would stifle “correct and authorized companies to operate”, as the rates currently required are already at the limit of what is bearable for the market.
He ends his reasoning with a statement about the restrictive proposals: “Prohibiting betting, or curbing it with the expansion of taxes, only serves the interests of criminality, because the market will be taken over by illegal gambling without any control.”
For the expert, supporting the regulated market is the only safe path for the economy and society.