ANJL calls Brazil's betting tax proposal 'technically flawed and ill-timed'

Brazil's National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL) has expressed strong opposition to a new bill presented by Workers' Party leader Lindbergh Farias, which seeks to double the tax rate on sports betting and online lotteries from 12% to 24%.

According to the association, the proposal is "technically flawed and ill-timed," warning that such a sharp increase would jeopardize the sustainability of licensed operators while encouraging the return of illegal gambling platforms.

ANJL noted that a similar measure was already withdrawn by the Government after debate in Congress earlier this year.

"The proposal to double taxation on revenue stimulates the advance of illegal gambling, compromises tax collection and threatens the sustainability of licensed operators, especially as the regulated market begins to consolidate," the statement said.

The group also challenged Farias' claim that two million Brazilians suffer from gambling addiction, describing the figure as "fictional." In response to that, the ANJL mentioned data from the national public health system, which recorded 3,892 cases of gambling-related disorders between 2022 and September 2025.

The association emphasized that the regulated sector has taken active steps to promote responsible gaming, including betting limits, educational campaigns and risk monitoring systems.

The ANJL argues that the proposal lacks technical and social grounding and risks undermining the legitimacy of the regulatory framework that took effect in January.

"This initiative seems more like an attempt to divert attention from meaningful discussions currently taking place in Congress," the group has accused.

Earlier this year, the ANJL also partnered with Brazil's Ministry of Sport on an integrity agreement aimed at strengthening compliance and ethical standards across the betting industry.