Brazilian Senate Approves Sports Betting Tax Increase to 15% as Ireland Prepares Regulation

The Senate has stalled the regulation of Brazil's gambling market and prioritised taxation following massive growth in the sector, with the country now responsible for the fifth-largest betting market in the world.

This follows a tax hike trend after the UK’s Autumn Budget release, with the Ministry of Finance in Brazil now also seeking to increase revenue with these new measures. 

A common side effect of this tax trend is an influx of activity to the black market, with recent studies reporting that unlicensed casinos still take around 55% of the market share. 

It is something that the Brazilian Institute for Responsible Gaming is acutely aware of in the country, and warned: “Combatting this illegal market must be a priority. 

“Measures that weaken the regulated environment only benefit those operating outside the law and make it harder to tackle the criminal networks that exploit the lack of oversight.

“The IBJR emphasises that the most effective way to increase tax collection and protect Brazilian consumers is to strengthen the formal market, ensuring legal certainty, compliance with regulations, and a competitive and sustainable environment.”

Ireland must be prepared to efficiently regulate the casino climate if it follows the current trend of tax increases. With the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) due to come into effect by 2027, it will be interesting to see what regulatory measures follow in the coming years.