Brazil: Senate postpones vote on bill that doubles taxation on betting and fintechs

The bill, authored by Senator Renan Calheiros (MDB-AL) —who also chairs the CAE—, complements Bill No. 1,087/2025, which exempts individuals earning up to R$ 5,000 per month from income tax and raises rates on higher incomes. According to Calheiros, the measure must be approved in 2025 to take effect in 2026.

The proposal: higher taxes for fintechs and betting operators

The text raises the CSLL from 9% to 15% for fintechs, payment institutions, stock exchanges, and over-the-counter market administrators.
Meanwhile, capitalization companies and credit and investment institutions will see their rate increased from 15% to 20%.

In the gaming sector, the bill doubles the Gross Gaming Revenue Contribution from 12% to 24% —a measure that, according to the author, aims to align tax revenue with the growth of Brazil’s betting market.

The proposal also creates a Tax Regularization Program for Low-Income Individuals (Pert-Baixa Renda) and corrects distortions in profit and dividend remittances abroad.

The debate: lobbying and economic concerns

Senator Eduardo Braga defended the need for adjustments but acknowledged that raising the tax burden will face strong resistance.

“It will be a tough battle against the betting lobby, which only seeks profit without contributing to the country. I’m not afraid of the fight, but I want a fair debate on the amendments,” said the rapporteur.

Some lawmakers, however, warned that higher taxes on licensed operators could push companies back into the gray market, as has happened in other countries.

Senator Angelo Coronel (PSD-BA), rapporteur of Law No. 14,790/2023, which regulated sports betting in Brazil, was emphatic:

“It’s not fair to punish those who operate legally and ignore those who act outside the law. If the government fails to combat the illegal market, higher taxation will only drive away serious companies.”

Criticism of revenue ‘at any cost’

Other senators questioned the revenue-oriented focus of the bill.
Rogério Marinho (PL-RN) stated that the country may be “endorsing a practice that has harmed Brazilian families,” while Jorge Seif (PL-SC) said that tax collection cannot come before addressing the social harm caused by gambling.

“We cannot collect revenue at the expense of destroying families,” said Seif.

On the other hand, Rogério Carvalho (PT-SE) and Teresa Leitão (PT-PE) supported higher taxes, arguing that Brazilian betting companies pay some of the lowest rates in the world and that stronger measures are needed to fight money laundering and organized crime.

Next steps

The CAE is expected to resume discussions on Bill No. 5,473/2025 in the coming weeks, after a detailed review of the amendments.
The debate is expected to intensify, with pressure from various economic and social sectors regarding the balance between tax collection, competitiveness, and social responsibility.

Meanwhile, the regulated betting market in Brazil continues to closely monitor the Senate’s decisions, which could reshape the tax landscape for the newly legalized sector and directly impact the operations of betting houses and digital platforms across the country.