The government of Brazil has announced that prediction market contracts connected to sports, politics, and entertainment will be banned effective May 4, 2026.The...
Brazil’s betting sector forms “Febrabet” amid tax dispute
As tensions rise over the proposed federal tax increase, Brazil’s online betting industry forms a National Federation, informally referred to as “Febrabet.”
Modeled after Brazil’s powerful banking association, Febraban, the new body seeks to strengthen the industry’s voice in federal negotiations. Industry representatives point to a recent Febraban meeting with Dario Durigan, Executive Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, as a case in particular. During the meeting, the government expressed openness to revisiting a decree on the Financial Operations Tax (IOF).
The effort to form Febrabet comes amid widespread frustration over the fragmented nature of the sector’s current representation in Brasilia. Betting operators, tech firms, payment platforms, and consultancies are spread across multiple associations, diluting their influence at a critical time.
The lack of unity has become especially problematic with the recent tax policy changes. The controversy comes because of a measure submitted to Congress by Finance Minister Fernando Haddad, who suggested increasing the tax on online bets from 12% to 18%.
This is the first time that diverse representatives within the legalized betting industry have cooperated to publicly resist a federal tax measure. Several prominent figures are already being considered for leading and coordinating roles within the proposed federation.
Some of the names include Amilton Noble of Hebara Distribuidora de Produtos Lotéricos, Ana Bárbara Teixeira of Abrajogo, Ana Clara Barros of Aidiglot, Bárbara Teles of Stake, Hugo Baungartner of Esportes da Sorte, Leonardo Baptista of Pay4Fun, Magnho José of the Instituto de Jogos Legais (IJL), and Natália Nogues of Control F5.
Brazil’s Federal Government has announced plans to publish a presidential decree that would target online betting and add new restrictions to iGaming in the country.The...
