Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is weighing the possibility of a ban on online gambling, along with stricter regulations for sports betting. Plans for significant changes to Brazil's legal betting framework could potentially include a total prohibition on online casinos.
While proposals to ban sports betting were initially considered, they are not currently part of the government's agenda, preserving the revenue from the regulated betting market. Ahead of the upcoming elections in October, President Lula intends to meet with individuals affected by gambling issues, reflecting his government's engagement with online gambling concerns.
In addition, the government plans to increase taxes on gambling operators, raising the gross gaming revenue tax from 12% to 18% by 2028.
The Brazilian association ABC-BET has urged the government to uphold, rather than abandon, the existing regulatory framework. The association stated, “do not weaken regulation. Make it stronger.” It expressed concerns that reducing regulation could shift gambling issues into a less monitored environment, hindering efforts to prevent debt and protect citizens.
Simultaneously, Brazil’s regulatory agency for Gaming and Betting has ramped up its enforcement actions against illegal gambling operators.
