Entity contesting statements by the Minister of Finance on busy values and number of addicts in games
The (Bets and Fantasy Sport Association) published this Wednesday (23.Jul.2025) a note that criticizes the Minister of Finance ,. The Association argues that the Minister’s statements on the regulated betting market in Brazil contradict the regulation process itself conducted by (Secretariat of Awards and bets)
According to the entity, the speeches “Dismissed on technical basis” show Haddad’s lack of commitment to the sector. “More worrying than ignorance about a legalized market, approved by Congress and standardized by the ministry itself, is to see a public figure of the government to use suitable companies as a scapegoat for the political and economic difficulties of the country.”it says.
On Tuesday (22.Jul), Haddad classified the bets as and stated that the sector “It became a plague” during participation in the ICL (Institute of Citizenship and Leadership).
The minister promised to present to the president (PT) a balance about the operation of the regulated market, highlighting the need to demonstrate that bets represent “the path of failure.”
One of the main points of disagreement that would have been endorsed by the minister, according to ABSF, refers to the amount of even, according to the BC (Central Bank). The entity states that the amount represents the total volume moved in bets, not the gamblers’ losses.
According to the note, it determines that companies must return at least 85% of the amount bet to users. Based on this rule, the association estimates that R $ 25.5 billion return to gamblers monthly. This would result in net losses of approximately R $ 4.5 billion.
“This type of maneuver creates a dangerous precedent, especially in times of electoral intensification: attacking a legal sector is not only light, but also disrespects legal and business certainty, as well as diverting the attention of a necessary administrative reform. Today Bets are the target; tomorrow, may be any other segment.”
Read below the full ABFS note:
“Haddad bets on misinformation and plays against the economy
“The statements of Finance Minister Fernando Haddad, for the ICL, cause surprise and highlight the lack of commitment to his leadership with the regulated betting market-a regulated sector under his own management. The minister has reiterated speeches devoid of technical basis, aligning the narratives of sectors contrary to regulation. (SPA) of your ministry.
“Without technical or factual backing, the minister endorsed the fanciful number of 10 million Brazilians with symptoms of betting addiction and accepted as truth the allegedly ‘lost’ figure of $ 30 billion per month, a clearly distorted data that ignores the values returned in prizes to users.
“The R $ 30 billion refer to the total volume moved in bets, not losses. Considering the regulatory obligation imposed by the Ministry of Finance itself, there is the duty to return to gams of 85% of the amount bet (Annex I, item 28, of Ordinance SPA/MF 1207/24). Billions – number completely ignored in these narratives.
“More worrying than ignorance about a legalized market, approved by Congress and regulated by the ministry itself, is to see a public figure of the government to use suitable companies as a scapegoat for the country’s political and economic difficulties.
“This type of maneuver creates a dangerous precedent, especially in times of electoral intensification: attacking a legal sector is not only light, but also disrespects legal and business, and diverting the attention of a necessary administrative reform. Today Bets are the target; tomorrow, may be any other segment.
“In just 6 months of operation, the regulated market has already paid more than R $ 4.5 billion to public coffers between grants, taxes and inspection fees. Still, the farm does not inform how much of this amount has been intended for social areas such as health and education or combating the illegal market. This lack of transparency cannot be unjustly attributed to betting homes.
“It is noteworthy that the Secretariat of Awards and bets [SPA] Composed of committed professionals and qualified technicians – have been striving to regulate and oversee the sector, even facing serious limitations of personnel, budget and structure. The omission of the government in this respect is both technical and political, and does not reflect the dedication and seriousness of the SPA team.
“Criticism of the alleged facilitation of money laundering also sounds displaced and disregards the work of the Ministry’s own team. Brazilian regulation follows high international standards, with CPF requirement, facial identification, process of knowing its client (KYC), traceability of transactions and robust financial crime prevention protocols – all established under the supervision of the SPA and coo support [Conselho de Controle de Atividades Financeira]. Claiming that the regulated sector favors washing is unfair and disrespects the efforts of the technicians who built and implement these rules.
“The war of narratives against the Bets has already surpassed the rational debate. Some sectors of the economy have sought to villain the game, based on questionable and distorted information to delegitimize a market that contributes significantly to the collection and could, if managed, help the country face tax challenges with responsibility and transparency.
“If the minister does not trust the data, which qualifies it. If he does not know the sector, which is inquiry. But it cannot be accepted that the country’s main economic authority treats a market regulated with the same unpreparedness with which the illegal is combated – specially ignoring and dismissing the technical and serious effort of the professionals of the Department of Awards and Betting.”
