Brazilian lawmakers have moved closer to updating the country’s gambling tax rules by supporting an increase to the gross gaming revenue tax. The proposal passed with a strong 23–1 vote. The new rate is lower than the earlier suggested 24 percent and far below the previously discussed 50 percent. The government expects the change to generate R$5bn in 2026, R$6.3bn in 2027 and R$6.7bn in 2028.

The plan will now go to the Chamber of Deputies unless the Senate blocks it. If approved and published, the new tax will take effect four months later. Officials say the increase will boost public finances while still allowing the gambling industry to grow.

Finance Ministry Opens Public Consultation

As Brazil moves forward with the tax proposal, the country is also asking the public for input on how gambling should be regulated. The Ministry of Finance has launched a public consultation to help shape the next regulatory agenda for the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA). The consultation began on 1 December and will remain open for 45 days.

The SPA, created under Decree 11.907/2024, oversees regulation, licensing, inspection and enforcement for lotteries, fixed-odds betting and promotional prize activities. Its responsibilities include supervising Lotex and fixed-odds betting, which became legal in 2018 and expanded in 2023. Officials say the consultation will help set priorities for the 2026–2027 agenda and ensure the rules match market developments and public policy needs.

Public Participation Encouraged

The Secretariat says it wants input from bettors, consumers, operators and industry workers to help make regulation more transparent and aligned with public expectations. Participants are asked to highlight the key issues and suggest which ones should be handled first.

This process is similar to the one used in early 2025 for the current 2025–2026 agenda. The SPA says wide participation improves the quality of regulation and gives the industry a clearer idea of what to expect. The consultation runs until 14 January, after which the SPA will review the responses and plans to publish the new agenda by late February.

New Digital Platform and Next Steps

The SPA has moved to a new digital system, the Participatory Brazil Program, replacing the older Participa Brasil platform. The 2026–2027 agenda will be the third roadmap released since the SPA’s creation. The SPA has completed its 2025 tasks, and the betting exclusion module now includes people receiving Bolsa Família and Continuous Cash Benefit support. The Centralized Self-Exclusion Platform is scheduled to launch on 10 December.

The Ministry of Finance says the public consultation will help improve oversight as Brazil’s gambling sector continues to grow and evolve, ensuring that regulations remain effective, up to date, and aligned with industry developments.