Brazil: Haddad Defends Taxation of Bets and Billionaires as a Fair Measure

Brazil.– October 15th 2025 – www.zonadeazar.com  Brazil’s Finance Minister Fernando Haddad has defended the government’s decision to tax online betting companies and high-net-worth individuals, describing it as a “fair and progressive measure” to stabilise public finances while protecting lower-income groups.

Overview

Speaking in Brasília, Haddad said the new 30 % tax on sports betting platforms aims to formalise a fast-growing market that already moves billions of reais each year.
Revenue will be channelled toward social programmes and investment in education and healthcare.

Details / Context

The Ministry of Finance introduced a retroactive 30 % tax on licensed operators as part of a broader fiscal reform.
According to Haddad, the policy ensures fair competition and tax compliance, rather than discouraging legitimate operators.
He also defended the new wealth-tax framework as a mechanism for fiscal equity and redistribution.

Brazil’s Treasury and Central Bank are developing an automated system to track betting payments and cross-border transactions, aligned with international standards of transparency and anti-money-laundering compliance.

Future Outlook

Haddad confirmed that a multi-year online gaming regulation plan is underway, prioritising player protection and responsible gaming.

Government projections indicate that full market formalisation could generate over R$ 4 billion per year in tax revenue and create thousands of jobs across technology and marketing.

Industry Impact

The move positions Brazil as a regional benchmark for progressive tax policy in the iGaming sector, balancing fiscal responsibility with social equity.
International operators view the initiative as a key signal of regulatory maturity in Latin America’s largest market.

🔗 Edited by: @_fonta www.zonadeazar.com