Betting revenue reached R$ 7.2 billion in the 1st half of 2026, representing an 83% increase compared to the same period in 2025.
In June alone, the start of the World Cup, revenue reached R$1.395 billion, the second highest figure of the year, behind only January, which totaled R$1.4 billion.
The data is part of the Federal Revenue Service’s 2026 revenue report, made available on the institution’s website.
Expansion of betting revenue
Comparing data from 2025 and 2026, betting revenue between January and June of this year is already close to 75% of the previous year’s total.
Even with strong volatility in relation to the months of January and February, the sector’s tax collection by the government continues to expand after regulation took effect.
The main explanation for the drop from R$1.496 billion in January to R$1.042 billion in February may be the seasonality to which the sector is subject, especially linked to the football championship calendar.
Moments of acceleration in betting revenue tend to coincide with the decisive phases of the Libertadores and Sul-Americana, as well as international and national competitions.
Also, by early June, the gambling industry had already doubled its revenue, with tax collection from tobacco and agriculture.
The 2026 World Cup would also have contributed to collection reaching R$1.395 billion, the second highest of the semester.
As estimated by the consultancy H2 Gambling Capital, the World Cup would increase betting revenue by between R$20 billion and R$25 billion, considering sports betting deposits throughout the tournament.
According to Aposta Legal’s projection, the GGR (Gross Gaming Revenue) of bets should reach R$ 10.85 billion just during the months of June and July, when the World Cup matches took place.
Globally, the projection is that the World Cup would generate up to US$60 billion in sports betting, with the Brazilian market accounting for 10% of the total.
Significant source of revenue for the Federal Government
In addition to the taxes applied to any company in Brazil, the Federal Government also charges a tax on betting revenue after prizes are paid out to bettors.
According to the regulation, the rate, which was 12% until 2025, rose to 13% this year and will increase to 14% in 2027 until reaching 15% in 2028.
With figures reaching into the billions, betting revenue has already become a significant source of income for the Federal Government.
The amounts collected are allocated to different areas, as established by the Betting Law.
As in July 2026, President Lula signed Law 15.480, which allocates 1% of betting revenue to the Federal Police, via Funapol, rising to 2% in 2027 and 3% in 2028, the percentages allocated to the sectors covered have been changed.
For this year, considering the total, 81% is allocated to social security, that is, Social Security, social assistance and public health actions.
Another 10% of the amount collected from the betting houses’ tax goes to education. The percentages allocated to sports, tourism and public safety are 7.3%, 0.5% and 0.2%, respectively.