Brazil senator proposes tougher controls on online betting industry

Senator Izalci Lucas (PL-DF) submitted a series of proposals to the federal government aimed at reducing the negative consequences of online betting activities in Brazil. One of the suggestions includes introducing civil, administrative, or criminal liability for companies and influencers involved in fraudulent practices.

The senator expressed concern about the absence of effective government action to regulate the online gambling sector. He criticized the Central Bank, the Federal Revenue Service, and the Ministry of Treasury for failing to provide adequate oversight.

He pointed out that illegal betting platforms have been transferring large sums of money abroad without paying taxes, estimating the resulting losses at R$300 billion in 2023.

Lucas argued that many of these transactions are processed through payment institutions that operate without proper supervision. He estimated that over R$30 billion is sent overseas annually through such channels, without any tax collection.

He also mentioned that the Central Bank lacks the necessary tools to monitor these institutions, as many are outside its regulatory reach. He proposed changes to address this gap and expressed hope that the government would act quickly to implement them.