In his statement, the deputy emphasized: “Our country hosts the greatest biodiversity on the planet and has faced enormous challenges in fighting illegal deforestation. In addition to a shortage of staff, there are also insufficient resources for oversight. It is extremely urgent to provide greater funding for environmental agencies, such as Ibama and ICMBio, so that we can protect our forests, rivers, and ultimately, the well-being of all society.”
Currently, sports betting and online gaming companies pay 12% of their GGR as a direct tax on operations, with an increase to 18% scheduled to take effect on October 1, following a Provisional Measure presented by the federal government.
The bill amends Law 13,756, reducing from 95% to 78% the share of revenues allocated to covering 'Bets'’ operating and maintenance expenses.
The proposal stipulates that 10% of the 22% collected by the government will be directed to environmental causes, distributed as follows:
- 2.5% for payments for Environmental Services;
- 2.5% for projects to recover degraded areas;
- 5% to fund programs for fighting forest fires and illegal deforestation in the Legal Amazon.
The deputy argues that illegal deforestation is a crime expanding at an alarming rate, fueled by impunity. “Where there is no State presence, environmental crime advances unchecked. More resources mean greater capacity to strengthen oversight in remote and hard-to-access areas.”
“Beyond repressing environmental crimes, the increase in funding allows for more effective prevention efforts. With greater investment, it is possible to intensify environmental education campaigns, promote sustainable management, and offer economic alternatives to communities that depend on the forest. Oversight and punishment are important, but long-term sustainability requires creating conditions where conservation is more profitable than destruction,” defended Zé Vitor.
Source: GMB
