Brazil sector slams Haddad ‘attack’ after finance minister calls for betting ban
Summary
Finance Minister Fernando Haddad said in a televised interview he would vote to ban betting if a bill reached the Chamber of Deputies, calling the regulated market a “disaster” and describing severe social consequences for families. His remarks have provoked sharp criticism from industry trade bodies, which argue the minister is unfairly targeting the licenced market while illegal operators are the main source of harm and tax losses.
Trade groups including the ANJL and the Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming (IBJR) said Haddad’s comments create legal uncertainty, could deter investment and inadvertently strengthen the illegal market, which they say accounts for roughly half the sector. The minister has also backed a proposed GGR tax rise from 12% to 18%, and the sector awaits a delayed Supreme Federal Court hearing on the constitutionality of betting laws.
Source
Key Points
- • Finance Minister Fernando Haddad said he would press to stop betting if a bill to ban it appeared in the Chamber of Deputies, calling the market a “disaster” for families.
- • Industry bodies (ANJL, IBJR) condemned the remarks as an attack on the regulated sector and said the comments risk creating legal uncertainty and deterring investment.
- • Trade groups argue the main problems (addiction, predatory advertising, tax evasion) are driven by illegal operators that lack protections and do not pay tax.
- • Haddad is a proponent of raising the gambling tax from 12% to 18% GGR; that provisional measure is under review with a congressional vote expected by 8 October.
- • A pending Supreme Federal Court hearing on the constitutionality of betting laws has been delayed, adding to sector uncertainty.
- • Haddad has called for a public-health approach to gambling and said authorities are working with the Central Bank to tackle alleged fintech-related money laundering.
Context and relevance
Brazil launched its regulated betting market on 1 January 2025, creating a new revenue and compliance framework for operators. Haddad’s statements matter because the finance ministry houses the SPA, the body overseeing regulation, so the minister’s position carries regulatory and political weight. Any move perceived as hostile to the licenced market could shift investment, influence the pending tax decision and strengthen illegal operators — with knock-on effects for responsible-gambling programmes and tax receipts.
Why should I read this?
Short version: the finance minister just publicly threatened to pull the plug on a new industry that was only just getting established. If you work in Brazil gambling, regulation, payments or investment, this could change the game — or at least make you re-check your risk models. It’s a quick read that saves you the hassle of digging through the interview and industry responses yourself.