Brazilian gambling companies oppose government's taxing of gamblers' bonuses
Friday 21 de February 2025 / 12:00
2 minutos de lectura
(Brasilia).- The Ministry of Finance's Prize and Betting Secretariat has become the target of betting companies that oppose a government stance on the taxation of bonuses granted to encourage bettors.
The new position was adopted at the end of January and classifies bonuses as part of net gaming revenue, the basis for calculating betting tax.
It is part of the commercial strategy of bookmakers to grant promotional credits that serve as a ‘trial run’ for a beginner.
Some platforms, for example, also offer this bonus on their customers' birthdays as a gift.
If bettors use the credit and lose, the platform gets nothing and gets back the money deposited. If they win, however, the bonus becomes a cost, not revenue, as it has come out of the company's cash box, the companies say.
On condition of anonymity, industry executives see the move as a desperate attempt by the government to raise revenue to meet the fiscal tightening demanded by the market. They say there is no legal basis for this levy, which is not foreseen in the gambling regulation.
When contacted, the Betting and Premiums Secretariat said it had published the technical note with the aim of increasing legal certainty, predictability, protection of gamblers and the public interest. It said that the ‘sector's issues will be evaluated, always with attention to the provisions of the legislation and regulations’.
In the note, the secretariat justifies the tax by saying that these promotional credits are a form of direct financial incentive for gambling, as their sole purpose is this type of operation.
Without the tax, the secretariat argues, there could be an incentive [to gamble] over and above what the regulation intends, ‘especially if we take into account the importance of actions to promote responsible gambling,’ the technical note says.
By Stéfanie Rigamonti
Categoría:Legislation
Tags: Sin tags
País: Brazil
Región: South America
Event
iGaming Club Conference Cancun
24 de November 2025
Levon Nikoghosyan Confirms iGaming Cancun’s Success and Future LATAM Expansion
(Cancun, SoloAzar Exclusive).- The vibrant energy of iGaming Cancun has set the tone for a new chapter in the Latin American iGaming industry. Levon Nikoghosyan, CEO and Co-Founder of AffPapa and iGaming Club, shared his enthusiasm for the event’s debut in Mexico, highlighting its impact on the regional market and the company’s ambitious plans for the future.
Thursday 04 Dec 2025 / 12:00
iGaming Club Cancún 2025 Concludes Successfully with Strong Connections in Its First LatAm Edition
(Cancun, SoloAzar Exclusive).- iGaming Club Cancún 2025 came to a close last night with a comprehensive experience of conferences, networking, and the AffPapa iGaming Awards LATAM gala, consolidating itself as a unique space for operators, affiliates, and providers in the region.
Thursday 27 Nov 2025 / 12:00
iGaming Club Cancún 2025: Affiliates, Operators, and Innovation Take Center Stage on Final Day
(Cancun, SoloAzar Exclusive).- The second and final day of iGaming Club Cancún 2025 unfolds today, bringing together operators, affiliates, and select B2B providers in a unique networking and conference environment that highlights the evolving dynamics of the Latin American iGaming market.
Wednesday 26 Nov 2025 / 12:00
SUSCRIBIRSE
Para suscribirse a nuestro newsletter, complete sus datos
Reciba todo el contenido más reciente en su correo electrónico varias veces al mes.