Brazil: Recife seeks to attract betting and online gambling companies with tax reduction

The mayor of Recife, João Campos (PSB), has submitted to the city council a project that proposes a reduction in the rate of the Tax on Services of Any Nature (ISSQN) for companies in the betting, lotteries and online gaming sector.

The project follows the national trend in the gambling sector

The proposal submitted by the city council amends Municipal Law 15.563 of 1991, which establishes Recife's Tax Code. If approved, the new 2% rate will apply to activities such as the distribution and sale of lottery tickets, bingos, betting coupons, prizes and capitalisation bonds.

The measure follows a trend observed in other Brazilian municipalities, which have adjusted their legislation to attract companies in the sports betting and online gaming sector. Especially with the advancement of federal regulation of these activities.

Currently, Recife already has a similar tax benefit, but restricted to the RECENTRO area. This includes the neighbourhoods of Recife, Santo Antônio and São José. The new project extends the tax benefit to the entire municipality, increasing the potential for attracting companies interested in establishing themselves in the Pernambuco capital as a base of operations.

Recife's football clubs have partnerships with bookmakers

In addition, the three main clubs in the Pernambuco capital have bookmaker sponsorships on their uniforms. Sport, the state's representative in the A Series of the Brazilian Championship, displays Betnacional's branding on the main space of the uniform.

In Serie C, Náutico has Esporte da Sorte as its main sponsor, while Santa Cruz, one of the most traditional clubs in the region, is supported by Bet dá Sorte.

The relationship between local football and the betting industry also extends to the Pernambucana Football Federation (FPF). The FPF maintains a partnership with Betnacional, the official sponsor of the Campeonato Pernambucano 2025.
Finally, the final of the competition will be played on Wednesday (02/04) in Ilha do Retiro. There, Sport will take on Retrô at 21h30 in search of the state title.

By Paulo José