Brazil's Online Gambling Booms: EUR 1.13 Billion Revenue in Five Months

Brazil's online betting and gaming business is experiencing a remarkable upswing. Between January and May 2026, the sector generated revenues of EUR 1.13 billion. This represents an impressive growth of 85.88 percent compared to the same period last year, when EUR 609.42 million were generated. These figures come from Brazil's Federal Revenue Service and illustrate the continued expansion of the regulated market.

The increasing revenues are not only a sign of growing popularity but also an important contribution to public finances. By the end of May 2026, approximately 60 percent of the total 2025 revenues, which amounted to EUR 1.91 billion, had already been collected. Experts anticipate that Brazil could conclude 2026 with revenues exceeding EUR 2.69 billion.

Numbers and facts

Brazil's Federal Revenue Service has released the latest data. Tax auditors, including Claudemir Malaquias and Marcelo Gomide, presented the results in the presence of Revenue Secretary Robinson Barreirinhas. The sports betting and online gaming sector now contributes significantly more to state finances than it did a year ago. Amounts transferred to the state coffers rose by 86 percent compared to the same period in 2025.

A particular driver for this growth is the FIFA World Cup. Between the start of the tournament and June 25, 2026, nearly EUR 98.08 million flowed through betting platforms. These figures come from Klavi, a data intelligence company that tracks payment activities. The regulated market, known as “Bets,” was introduced in Brazil on January 1, 2025. According to the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA), the Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) for the regulated betting market stood at US$7 billion in 2025. In January 2025, 68 licenses were approved, and that number steadily increased afterwards.

Background

The development of the Brazilian gambling market is closely linked to the sector's regulation. Politicians face the challenge of effectively managing the expanding market. The discussion about unlicensed operators plays a significant role here. It is argued that tax revenues could be doubled if the government integrated illegal websites into the legal framework or more effectively suppressed their operations. This approach would encourage bettors to use licensed sites.

The regulatory authority SPA considers the current regulation a success and supports the government's measures against illegal gambling. This includes tougher measures, such as the seizure of funds. Brazil's Ministry of Finance has also defined joint liability for financial and payment institutions in illegal betting activities. For the period 2026 to 2033, the Brazilian online gambling market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 12.4 percent, with revenues projected to reach US$9.21 billion by 2033.

“The revenue generated by the Brazilian gambling sector now contributes as much to the state coffers as the tobacco and agriculture sectors combined.” - Gildo Mazza, Journalist at iGamingBusiness.com (paraphrased)

Why it matters for German players

While Brazil rigorously regulates and expands its online gambling market, Germany is pursuing a similar path with the Gambling State Treaty 2021 (GlüStV 2021). The aim here, too, is to protect players from the dangers of the illegal market while creating a safe and transparent framework for legal offerings. The Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States (GGL) plays a central role in this. It licenses and supervises online casinos in Germany.

For German players, this means exclusively choosing providers listed on the GGL whitelist. Only these guarantee compliance with German laws, such as the 1 Euro betting limit per spin on slot machines and the 1,000 Euro deposit limit per month. In addition, all transactions and player behavior are monitored via the nationwide self-exclusion system LUGAS, which ensures player protection measures such as deposit limits and the so-called panic button.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

The developments in Brazil show how a regulated market has the potential to generate enormous revenues. For GGL-licensed casinos in Germany, this means a similar opportunity in a still young, highly regulated market. The focus on player protection and the fight against illegal offerings are crucial for building trust and achieving long-term success. German regulatory efforts, with their strict requirements, serve to protect players and channel them into the legal market. These measures are essential to establishing a market that is beneficial for both players and the state. Brazil could serve as a positive example of high growth, as long as player protection is ensured.