Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is considering implementing a ban on online gambling while also tightening regulations on sports betting. These potential changes could significantly reshape the legal betting landscape in Brazil, potentially leading to an outright prohibition of online casinos. While a ban on sports betting was previously discussed, it is not currently part of the proposals, meaning revenue from the regulated market will remain intact for now.
Ahead of elections scheduled for October, President Lula intends to meet with individuals affected by gambling issues, a move aligned with the government’s focus on online gambling concerns. Additionally, the government plans to raise taxes for operators, increasing the tax on gross gaming revenue from 12% to 18% by the year 2028.
In response to these developments, the Brazilian association of online gaming operators, ABC-BET, has urged the government to maintain regulatory principles. They warned, "do not weaken regulation. Make it stronger." The association expressed concerns that rather than alleviating gambling-related issues, a ban could instead push activities into less monitored environments, reducing the state's ability to oversee and protect citizens from gambling debts.
In tandem with these discussions, Brazil's governmental agency responsible for regulating gaming and betting has stepped up efforts against illegal operators, indicating a broader crackdown on unregulated gambling activities.
