Experts say that since fixed-odds betting was regulated, Brazil has become one of the largest markets in the world. According to Statista, global online gaming revenue exceeded $100 billion in 2023. Furthermore, the betting sector is expected to surpass $136 billion by 2029.
With this growth, other factors come into play, such as job creation. New jobs follow this upward trend, with estimates showing that more than 300,000 direct and indirect jobs were created by the iGaming sector in 2023 alone.
This information is present in the article published by José Francisco Manssur and Ana Carolina Monguilod, on the Poder 360 portal, this Wednesday (25). In addition to appearing as facts that contradict part of what is said about the betting sector, the information brings light to a market that is growing and generating growth and employment for the population.
Brazil stands out on the global betting scene
Brazil is currently among the 3 largest markets in the world, and could not fail to proportionally follow the global creation of jobs in the betting sector.
“The direct jobs created by Brazilian regulation are a logical and immediate consequence of the legal obligation for operators to have headquarters, operations and partners established in Brazil.
“These jobs involve iGaming software developers, betting system programmers, website and game operators, risk analysts, sports betting traders and cybersecurity experts. Today, Brazil has 78 authorized companies, open and operating in the country.”
This diagnosis presented in the article goes beyond the assumptions that form a large part of the image that people have of the sector.
“Brazilian legislation requires call centers to operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with Portuguese-speaking operators, which has forced outsourced companies to expand their teams to serve operators, in accordance with legal requirements.”
“This phenomenon is repeated among several other service providers in the sector. Therefore, the perception that, because it is a virtual environment, the activity would not result in the creation of jobs is superficial – and even naive –”, states the article.
The sector’s tax burden is much higher than 12%
In addition to this aspect of job creation, the article also addresses the issue of tax burden. Another topic that has been frequently discussed recently, and which government sectors are calling for an increase in taxes on the sector.
“The claim that companies pay “only 12%” in taxes is another fallacy. Operators authorized to operate in Brazil have already paid the government R$30 million for authorization, valid for up to 3 brands, for 5 years. With 76 companies currently authorized, revenue already exceeds R$2.3 billion in grants alone.”
“The percentage of 12% refers solely to the legal allocations levied on gross gaming revenue – the GGR (Gross Gaming Revenue), calculated after prizes are paid – and the Income Tax withheld at source from bettors”.
“In addition to these 12%, operators also pay 25% of IRPJ (Corporate Income Tax), 9% of CSLL (Social Contribution on Net Profit), 3.65% to 9.25% of PIS and Cofins contributions, the inspection fee, social security taxes of more than 20% on payroll and remuneration paid to service providers, as well as ISS (Tax on Services of Any Nature), from 2% to 5%”.
Betting industry unity is important to respond to untruths
Thus, based on this scenario, the authors present that the nominal tax rates owed by authorized operators could total more than 60%. Thus, creating one of the most significant effective tax burdens among all sectors of the economy.
Finally, the text leaves a message about the way the sector has reacted to this process. Citing unity and representation, the authors suggest a more expressive activity in the sector.
“If the sports betting and online gaming segment in Brazil really intends to consolidate and prosper, it needs to unite in a single representative entity and create fast and effective mechanisms to combat untruths and present its versions of the facts.
Given the attacks – many of which have not been responded to – suffered in recent months, it is clear that disseminating false data about the sector can be an effective political-populist strategy, especially in a pre-election scenario like that of 2026. Allowing lies to prevail, or believing – in a haughty and almost childish way – that they will disappear on their own over time, is a bad bet.”
