Bets on betting platforms could reach R$ 30 billion per month in Brazil by 2025

According to the Banco Central (Central Bank) of Brazil, bets on betting platforms could reach up to R$ 30 billion per month in the country by 2025. This data was presented last week in the Brazilian Senate by Gabriel Galípolo, president of the Banco Central, during a session of the “CPI das Bets”, a parliamentary inquiry commission that aims to clarify the impact of digital betting on the financial health of Brazilians.

On the same day, Rogério Lucca, executive secretary of the Central Bank, said that currently between R$ 20 billion and R$ 30 billion are already being wagered monthly in betting platforms in Brazil. 

The Central Bank presented the data of a study in 2024 that estimated Brazilians spent R$ 20 billion per month, but at the time the research was done the betting platforms were still not regulated in the country. With new regulations in place, it will be possible to assess this number more accurately in future studies. 

“Now with more concrete data, we confirm the figure of R$ 20 billion, and more recently, it may reach R$ 30 billion per month. So far this year, from January to March, the amount we’ve been tracking is around R$ 20 billion to R$ 30 billion per month”, said Rogério Lucca.

The good news for the bettors is that, as Lucca emphasized, a significant portion of that amount, estimated at over 90%, is returned to them as payouts for their wagers.

Bettors have higher credit risk

A study by Banco Central also showed that individuals who engage in online betting have significantly higher credit risk than those who don’t, said Gabriel Galípolo. “Banks consider this type of behavior when analyzing and classifying someone as a higher-risk individual. Ultimately, it leads to higher costs for them,” he said.

Galípolo cited a study indicating that a significant number of bettors viewed betting as an investment alternative. As a result, Banco Central has been promoting financial education initiatives for the population.

Central Bank of Brazil and regulation of betting platforms

BC is not responsible for penalizing financial institutions involved in illegal betting

During the CPI session, senators questioned Banco Central’s role in supervising and penalizing financial institutions involved in illegal betting operations. As Galípolo pointed out, the institution does not have the power to regulate betting platforms. “Banco Central does not have the legal authority to regulate or impose sanctions on fixed-odds betting transactions carried out by unauthorized legal entities,” Galípolo stated.

The authority to sanction these institutions lies with the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting under the Ministry of Finance. “A financial institution, although authorized by us, can be sanctioned in various ways, by the IRS, fire department, etc. Who sanctions depends on the activity that’s triggering the sanction, and in the case of betting, that’s not us”, said Galípolo.

Changes in Brazil’s regulation

In December 2023, Brazil approved Law 14.790/23. Among the main changes imposed by it, empresas privadas agora poderão operar apostas esportivas tanto on-line quanto em estabelecimentos físicos.

Veja, abaixo, como essa lei afetará as apostas esportivas no país:

• As empresas privadas poderão operar tanto on-line quanto em estabelecimentos físicosAté dezembro de 2023, as apostas esportivas no Brasil só eram permitidas em casas lotéricas e eram controladas pelo governo federal. A partir de janeiro deste ano, no entanto, qualquer empresa privada poderá operar apostas esportivas, seja digitalmente ou em um espaço físico.
• A idade mínima para fazer apostas esportivas aumentou de 18 para 21 anos de idade.
• Anúncios ou qualquer tipo de publicidade direcionado a menores foram proibidos.
• Os melhores devem ter sua identidade verificado e validado;
• As casas de apostas devem implementar políticas para evitar esquemas de lavagem de dinheiro e promover o jogo responsável.

Como funcionará a regulamentação das apostas esportivas no Brasil?

It is important to note that, in 2023, Provisional Measure (MP) No. 1.182/2023 was also approved, amending Law 13.756/18. Among other changes, this law allows for mais controle do setor de apostas esportivas. Por exemplo:

• Monitoramento: as casas de apostas terão que comprar uma licença para operar no Brasil. A tendência é que seja criado um novo departamento no Ministério da Fazenda para credenciar as empresas, após um processo de análise de documentos. Se aprovado, o governo monitorará o volume de apostas e a receita das instituições, o que garantirá maior controle sobre esse mercado.
• LegalidadeAs empresas aprovadas no processo mencionado acima e com licenças válidas poderão receber apostas relacionadas a eventos esportivos. Esses eventos, no entanto, deve ser oficial and organized by federations, leagues or confederations. Betting houses that commit infractions may be fined between 0.1% and 20% of the proceeds of the revenue, depending on the severity of the violation.
• Impostosjogadores com ganhos superiores a R$2,112 terá que pagar 30% do valor de seus ganhos totais em impostos, que é a mesma taxa aplicada aos prêmios de loteria. As casas de apostas, por sua vez, devem ser obrigadas a pagar um 18% imposto sobre a Receita Bruta de Jogos (RBG), que é a receita obtida com todos os jogos disputados, menos os prêmios pagos aos jogadores e os impostos cobrados das pessoas jurídicas. As empresas do setor, como qualquer outra, também precisarão pagar PIS, Cofins, Imposto de Renda, CSLL e ISS.
• Lavagem de dinheiroAs casas de apostas devem implementar controle rigoroso e sistemas de monitoramento eficazes para evitar lavagem de dinheiro. Eles devem enviar informações sobre os apostadores para o Conselho de Controle de Atividades Financeiras (Coaf).

Bookmakers also need to promote ações de conscientização com relação ao transtorno patológico do jogo, para evitar o vício e garantir a saúde mental dos apostadores.

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