TLDR
- Four Brazilian presidential candidates support a total ban on sports betting platforms
- A Folha de S. Paulo survey found regulated betting generated R$12.2 billion in public revenue in 2025
- No candidate has proposed how to replace lost tax revenue if betting is banned
- President Lula’s campaign favors stricter regulation, though he personally hinted at supporting a ban
- Tax proposals from candidates range from raising rates above 50% to investigating operators for money laundering
Brazil’s 2026 presidential race has split candidates over what to do about sports betting. A new survey from Folha de S. Paulo shows where each contender stands on the issue.
The survey found that four candidates want to ban betting platforms outright. Others prefer stricter rules, higher taxes, or programs to address gambling debt.
Regulated betting brought in R$12.2 billion in public revenue during 2025. That figure sits at the center of the debate, since no candidate has explained how the government would replace it if betting were banned.
Where Candidates Stand on a Ban
Renan Santos of Missão is among those backing a full ban. Candidates from PSTU, PCB and UP share this position, though none has addressed the lost tax revenue.
UP describes betting as a crime against the popular economy. PSTU and PCB have said they would protect betting companies’ assets from being seized.
Ronaldo Caiado of PSD takes a different approach. He wants tougher rules and a ban on betting ads across television and social media, calling household debt a public health problem.
President Lula’s campaign has called for improving the current regulatory system rather than banning it. His platform proposes keeping the spending cap in place and monitoring household debt tied to gambling.
The plan also calls for more public mental health services for compulsive gamblers. But Lula himself has sent mixed signals.
At a September meeting with anti-gambling groups, Lula said he personally favors ending wagering. He added that he still needs to hear from both sides before deciding.
Flávio Bolsonaro of PL, who previously supported the law that regulated betting, has also proposed changes. His platform would ban using social program funds for betting and expand financial education.
His plan points to online betting taking money from people’s pockets before it reaches their households each month. It also highlights the effect on vulnerable family members.
Taxation and Revenue Questions
Other candidates are focused on raising taxes rather than banning betting. Augusto Cury of Avante wants to raise the betting tax above 50%.
Cury said during a TV debate that the current 13% operator tax rate is lower than the tax on food. That comparison leaves out other taxes operators already pay, including IRPJ, CSLL, PIS, Cofins and ISS.
Consultancy LCA estimates the sector’s total tax burden at about 33% of revenue in 2026. That number is higher than Cury’s comparison suggests.
Wilson Grassi of Partido Democrata wants betting firms investigated for possible money laundering. He has proposed sending resulting revenue to public security instead.
Current law already sends 13.6% of the social contribution generated by betting to public security. Grassi’s plan would build on that existing structure.
Some candidates have not addressed betting at all in their platforms. Romeo Zema, Renan Santos and Rui Costa Pimenta have no specific proposal on the issue.
The survey shows a wide range of positions ahead of the 2026 election. Consumer protection, household debt and illegal activity appear across many of the proposals.
What remains unresolved is the financial question. If regulated betting is banned, the R$12.2 billion in 2025 tax revenue would need to be replaced through another source, and no candidate has detailed a plan to do that.
