Brazil postpones vote on sportsbook tax hike proposal as sector opposition intensifies

The Economic Affairs Committee (CAE) has once again delayed the vote on Senator Renan Calheiros’ bill to increase taxes on sports betting operators, leaving the proposal without a new date for analysis.

According to reports from Brasília, the vote — originally scheduled for this week — was postponed following political intervention from Hugo Mota (Republicanos-PB) and Senate President Davi Alcolumbre (União-AP). Their actions effectively removed the bill from the agenda, preventing deliberation.

Senator Renan Calheiros’ proposal aims to raise the financial burden on fixed-odds betting (“bets”) by increasing taxation structures approved earlier in Brazil’s regulatory framework. However, companies operating in Brazil’s betting market continue to strongly oppose the measure. Industry associations argue that additional taxation could discourage investment, push operators toward informal markets, and weaken Brazil’s competitiveness compared to other regulated jurisdictions.

Stakeholders in the sector also warn that sudden fiscal changes could disrupt ongoing licensing processes and create uncertainty for operators preparing to enter the newly regulated market.

For now, the CAE has not set a new date for the vote, and the bill remains pending. Analysts expect continued negotiations behind the scenes as operators, lawmakers and economic advisers push for adjustments before the text can advance.