In this episode of iGaming Daily, brought to you by Optimove, host Damian Martinez sits down with Ricardo Assis, Editor of SBC Noticias Brazil and Lucia Gando, Editor of SBC Noticias, as the three zero in on Brazil’s recent regulatory overhaul, where the government has increased the Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) tax rate from 12% to 18%.

This controversial measure, championed by Finance Minister Fernando Haddad, aims to plug the country's fiscal gap but has ignited industry-wide resistance and political backlash from lawmakers determined to curb unsustainable public spending.

The episode also shines a spotlight on the growing tension between Brazil's legal and illegal betting markets. With six major gaming associations warning that higher taxes may drive operators underground, the stakes are high. A revealing study shows that up to 51% of the Brazilian market remains unregulated, with 73% of players expected to gamble on illegal sites in 2025—costing the government billions in lost revenue. This paradox—where efforts to regulate and tax the industry may inadvertently fuel black-market growth—is central to the podcast's timely and critical analysis.

Expanding beyond Brazil, the conversation covers regulatory milestones in Peru and Paraguay that are shaping the future of LatAm sports betting. Peru’s move to criminalise match-fixing and ease tax burdens on operators signals progress toward a fairer, safer market, while Paraguay’s push to dismantle its state monopoly promises new licensing opportunities and increased tax revenue.

Host: Damian Martinez
Guest: Ricardo Assis & Lucia Gando
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: James Ross

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