Betting sector contributes more than R$1.000 million in October
Brazil's Federal Revenue Service recorded a historic performance in tax collection in October, largely driven by the progress of the regulated betting sector. According to data published this Monday (24) in Brasilia, federal taxes totaled R$261.9 billion, the highest amount for an October and a growth of 0.92% compared to the same period in 2024.
In this context, the sports betting and online gaming segment, the so-called bets, played a central role: it contributed R$1 billion just in October, an unprecedented volume since the regulation came into effect in 2025.
Between January and October, the country's total collection reached R$2.4 trillion, an expansion of 3.2% compared to the accumulated amount in 2024. For the Receita, this is the “best performance both for October and for the annual period” since records began.
The data includes taxes such as IR, social security contributions, IOF, Import Tax, IPI, PIS/Cofins, as well as revenues from royalties and judicial deposits.
Historic leap of the bets: from R$11 million to R$1 billion
The growth of the betting sector was one of the most striking points of the report. The revenue linked to bets multiplied by almost 10,000% compared to October 2024.
The reason is clear: last year the platforms operated without a fully applied regulatory framework, which resulted in a much lower tax burden. In October 2024, the segment contributed barely R$11 million; one year later, already regulated, it surpassed the barrier of R$1 billion.
In the accumulated total of the first ten months of the year, the collection rose from R$49 million in 2024 to R$8 billion in 2025, an increase of more than 16,000%.
Other notable tax highlights of the month
The report also pointed out advances in other relevant taxes:
- IOF: reached R$8.1 million, with a year-on-year increase of 38.8%.
- The Receita attributed this result to legislative changes related to credit operations for companies and foreign exchange outflows.
- IRRF on Capital: reached R$11.6 million, with a rise of 28% compared to October 2024.
- The boost came from higher gains in fixed income investments and the payment of Interest on Own Capital (JCP) by companies.
Slower growth towards the end of the year
Despite the accumulated increase until October, the Receita acknowledges that the pace of expansion has been moderating. In July, collection was growing at 4.41%, but the percentage decreased month by month.
According to the head of the Center for Tax and Customs Studies, Claudemir Malaquias, the slowdown is aligned with the projections of the Ministry of Finance:
“We continue to grow, but at lower rates. A moderate contraction in economic activity was already anticipated.”
The official highlighted the resilience of the services sector and the labor market, key to sustaining collection.
Impact of high interest rates on economic activity
The restrictive monetary policy of the Central Bank also influenced the tax result. With the Selic rate at 15% per year — the highest level since 2006 — credit became more expensive and part of consumption cooled down.
Still, inflation showed signs of containment: in October, the year-on-year index was 4.68%, although still above the official target of 3%.
Malaquias noted: “Tax collection is a thermometer of the economy. When tax revenues advance, it is generally a sign that economic activity is also responding.”
Tags: Brazil, iGaming, sports betting, Brazil betting taxes