Brazil betting market retains R$ 37 billion in 2025

Legalized sports betting platforms in Brazil retained R$ 37 billion from bettors in 2025, a figure 20% higher than the R$ 31 billion expected to remain with families due to income tax exemptions for those earning up to R$ 5,000. The Ministry of Finance reports that the R$ 37 billion represents gross revenue before taxes, calculated from R$ 220.6 billion in user deposits minus approximately R$ 183 billion returned in prizes and bonuses.

Growth in the sector has been significant; user numbers rose from seven million in January 2025 to nearly eleven million by October. However, a substantial portion of the market remains unregulated. Research by the Locomotiva Institute indicates that 53% of bettors have used illegal sites, characterized by a lack of facial recognition, non-standard domains, or the use of credit cards and crypto-assets. It is estimated that between 38% and 44% of the total online betting market value is processed through these clandestine platforms, bypassing tax collection and regulatory oversight.