President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva indicated that a decision on the future of online sports betting in Brazil could come as soon as this week.
Lula reiterated that he supports ending online sports betting platforms, calling them "a harm to society" during a meeting at the Planalto Palace with representatives from various sectors.
He said digitalization meant reaching children and adolescents. Every representative present spoke in favor of banning or severely restricting online betting.
Lula said the Government's direction was already "two-thirds decided" heading into the meeting, adding that "what was gambling took over the country" despite attempts at regulation.
He argued the cost of addressing betting's harms exceeds the sector's tax contributions and said gains from falling inflation and rising household income are increasingly being diverted into gambling.
He also cited Desenrola, the Government's debt renegotiation program, saying it hasn't solved the problem since gambling debt is often hidden within families.
Health, religious, business and cultural sector representatives presented data on the issue's severity. IEPS director Miguel Lago called Brazil a "symbolic case" of a global trend, citing 11 million Brazilians in critical addiction as of 2023 and saying last year's BR10bn in betting tax revenue is outweighed by social costs up to four times over.
Notably absent were representatives of regulated-sector associations, including ANJL and IBJR, as well as the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting. With no licensed operators present, there was no counterpoint on the discussion.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has sanctioned legislation approved by Congress that reduces federal tax exemptions and introduces a progressive increase in taxation on betting operators
