The Brazilian Federal Revenue Service collected BRL 4.586 billion in betting taxes between January and April 2026. This revenue originates from 87 licensed operators and represents nearly double the amount recorded during the same period in 2025.
Tax receipts reached $886.2 million, marking a significant increase from the BRL 2.283 billion generated in the first quarter of the previous year. The number of active licensed companies has also risen, growing from 49 operators at the beginning of the market's first full operational year to 87 currently.
Regulatory Framework and Market Challenges
Authorities have implemented several measures to formalize the sector, including actions by the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets and the creation of a Betting Database by the Federal Police. Despite these efforts, estimates suggest that between 41% and 51% of total betting activity remains outside the licensed environment.
The 2026 World Cup is expected to generate approximately BRL 19 billion in the country, serving as a major test for the regulated system. Offshore platforms that do not adhere to local compliance and consumer protection standards continue to compete for market share.
Alex W. Pariente, founder of Pariente Advisory, notes that while the regulated model has demonstrated initial fiscal strength, institutional capacity remains insufficient to fully contain illegal operators during this period of high demand.