The gambling industry in Brazil is fighting back as the debate over gambling’s role in society intensifies.
It was hoped that the launch of a regulated online gambling market at the start of 2025 would pave the way for Brazil to become one of the biggest sports betting markets in the world.
The passion for sport and gambling in the country is well known and the lack of regulations had previously allowed offshore sportsbooks to target Brazilian players with unlicensed and untaxed operations.
The introduction of regulations has allowed the Brazilian government to crack down on black market operators, which could be a game-changer for the economy. It had been estimated that around BRL5.5 billion was being lost in taxes due to unlicensed operators, money which could make a significant difference to healthcare or education as has been seen in neighbouring Colombia.
The regulated market in Colombia had been seen as the benchmark for Brazil to follow, where government support and public acceptance of gambling saw around US$250million allocated to healthcare in 2022 as a direct result of revenue raised through the gambling industry.
There has been much more reluctance in Brazil though, where sectors of the economy continue to spread information against gambling, most notably the Brazilian Association of Supermarkets (ABRAS).
A recent video published by the organisation linked a rise in prices and food insecurity in Brazil to the regulated betting industry, which prompted the National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL) to file a lawsuit after accusing the video of using a “tone of misinformation”.
ANJL President Plínio Lemos Jorge said: “The retail sector has decided to choose someone to blame for the rise in food prices on families’ tables. And, in their opinion, betting companies are responsible.
“This is absurd, because it spreads fake news that aims to attack a legitimate sector of the economy, which will generate more than BRL4 billion in taxes this year alone. Reducing the country’s budgetary issues to the regulated betting market is irresponsible and simplistic.”
As well as an increase in tax revenue, the growth of the iGaming industry has created numerous job opportunities across different sectors, including technology, marketing and customer support.
The challenge for the industry now is to push back against misinformation and highlight the benefits that regulations have brought in comparison to the black market, including safer gambling tools and increased player protection to create a safe and transparent environment for operators and players alike.
Frederico Caputi, Altenar’s Brazil-based Sales Manager, said: "Brazil’s regulated market has the potential to be one of the most successful in the world, but that requires operators to combine growth with responsibility.
“At Altenar, we equip our partners with features that protect players, ensure compliance, and keep betting entertaining – from advanced risk management tools to popular engagement features like the Tipster Module, Bet Builder, Guaranteed Sub, Early Payout, and Bore Draw. This is how we help the legal market thrive and show the real benefits regulation can bring to Brazil’s economy and society."
Are you looking to launch a brand in Brazil? Get in touch to discuss how our features and support can put you on the road to success in the regulated market.
Source: Altenar
