Brazil seeks to ban "Jogo do Tigrinho" before elections
The Brazilian government plans to intensify its offensive against the so-called "Jogo do Tigrinho" (Tiger Game) and other electronic betting games before the 2026 general elections. Following the National Congress's recess, the Palácio do Planalto expects to reactivate the discussion of a bill that prohibits these types of products and advance its enactment in the coming months.
The proposal is part of a package of measures aimed at tightening control over the regulated online gambling market, which also includes new restrictions on operator advertising and limiting access to platforms for beneficiaries of social programs such as Bolsa Família and the Benefício de Prestação Continuada. The legislative initiative, presented by the government leader in the Chamber of Deputies, Paulo Pimenta, proposes to prohibit betting games whose results are determined by electronic systems, algorithms, or other similar mechanisms, a category that includes digital slots and the popular "Jogo do Tigrinho," one of the products that generated the most debate in the country in recent months.
Beyond its legislative content, the proposal also has an electoral interpretation. According to reports, the Minister of the Secretariat of Social Communication, Sidônio Palmeira, detected a high level of rejection towards betting companies in certain sectors of the electorate, especially among evangelical groups. In this context, the Executive seeks to reinforce President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's image as a promoter of measures to restrict betting and combat modalities considered particularly harmful, with the intention of making the issue one of the main themes of the campaign for the October 4, 2026 elections and attracting votes that could be key in what is anticipated to be a close election.
The tightening of restrictions comes at a time when the sector's tax revenue continues to rise. Between January and May of this year, betting contributed 5.89 billion reais, about 1.06 billion dollars, in federal taxes, an increase of 85.9 percent compared to the same period in 2025. Despite this growth in public revenue, government officials maintain that the priority is to proceed with the restrictions and that any impact on revenue will be evaluated once the electoral process is concluded.
The project has seen no progress since May, but the Executive expects it to return to the parliamentary agenda once Congress resumes its activities in the first week of August.
Tags: Tiger Game, Paulo Pimenta, Sidônio Palmeira, Brazil 2026 elections, PG Soft, Gaming, Slots & RNG