Pressure from Lula and his allies prevented the idea from moving forward; announcement was expected to be made before the World Cup
A gave up on launching “bet da Caixa” em 2026. The announcement of a betting house linked to the government, which could be made this year because of , was postponed until 2027 – if there is one. Resistance from the president (PT) and his allies prevented the idea from moving forward.
The state-owned company has already disbursed R$30 million for the federal grant to make betting viable. The announcement was gradually extended by the Caixa team until the idea finally went through the roof. This week, the PT bench in the Chamber proposed a bill that prohibits the exploration, offer, promotion and facilitation of fixed-odds betting in Brazil.
President Lula, in an interview with ICL Newssaid that, , betting companies would be closed.
“If betting causes the harm that we think it does, why don’t we put an end to betting? Or regulate it so that there aren’t so many bets in Brazil and you can have some, if there is any use”these.
The former Minister of Finance (PT) stated that the party is because the issue has become a public health problem. He has already defended it.
The Minister of Health, , said, in December 2025, that Caixa’s bet creation project was but, in addition to the state-owned company having already paid R$30 million to the Union for the grant, the president of Caixa, Carlos Vieira, the creation of a betting house.
Read what the president of Caixa said on the topic:
- mar.2024 – “We have a whole plan to enter the world of betting, and that is another universe… Caixa is authorized like any other company to operate in the betting market, following established legislation”;
- ago.2024 – “The market in Brazil tends to grow a lot in this segment. Caixa has a series of initiatives built in this direction”;
Vieira said that Caixa hoped to raise R$18 billion with the bank’s entry into the sports betting market.
BETS MARKET
In public reports, Caixa Loterias has also already operationalized the fixed-odd betting market. He said that the lottery and betting market presents a “challenging and promising scenario”, requiring Caixa Loterias to adopt a stance of constant adaptation and strategic innovation.
Read in full what Caixa Loterias said in the 2024 Integrated Report:
“The recent regulation of Fixed Odds Bets, initiated with the approval of Law No. 14,790/2023, represents both opportunities and challenges for CAIXA Loterias. The new regulatory framework establishes a more structured and transparent environment, with clear rules for the operation of companies and greater tax revenue.
“The comparative analysis between the Brazilian market and regulated international markets highlights the need for a long-term strategy for CAIXA Loterias. Although the sector’s growth in Brazil is promising, there is a tendency for it to be more moderate due to the previous presence of offshore operators, who were already operating in the country before formal regulation. Given this scenario, the Company has invested in studies and analyzes of best international practices, with the aim of identifying and adapting them to the national context, ensuring competitiveness and maintaining market share.
“Understanding the profile of Brazilian bettors is another essential element in defining CAIXA Loterias’ strategies. Focusing on customer centrality, the Company makes continuous investments in behavioral and preference research, aiming to develop products and services that meet bettors’ expectations and promote greater engagement.
“Still from the perspective of customer centrality, CAIXA Loterias maintains as a priority the combating disorders related to gambling, being a pioneer in the adoption of Responsible Gaming practices in the Brazilian market, with the implementation of measures to protect players, promoting safe gambling, with a view to ensuring that the activity is conducted responsibly and ethically.
“In summary, the lottery and betting market in Brazil presents a challenging and promising scenario, requiring CAIXA Loterias to adopt a stance of constant adaptation and strategic innovation. The Company recognizes the importance of monitoring sector regulations and changes in consumer behavior, investing in actions that strengthen its market position. Among these actions, the diversification and attractiveness of products, the promotion of Responsible Gaming and the analysis of trends in the sector stand out, with the aim of ensuring sustainability and business growth.”
O Poder360 He contacted Caixa Econômica Federal to ask if he would like to speak out. There was no response until the publication of this report. The text will be updated if a statement is sent to this digital newspaper.
LICENSE AND NOMENCLATURE
from the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets of the Ministry of Finance to explore fixed odds betting in Brazil, as bets do. The permission was made official through Ordinance SPA/MF No. 1,665, published in the DOU (Official Gazette of the Union). Read (PDF – 83 KB).
The ordinance allows Caixa Loterias SA, registered with the CNPJ (National Register of Legal Entities) 24.038.490/0001-83, to operate with 3 brands in the betting market: BetCaixa, MegaBet e Xbet Cash.
Caixa would enter the regulated market – already consolidated in the country – to compete with private companies. There was an assessment that Bet da Caixa would also combat illegal gambling, encouraging the departure of people who bet on irregular sites, which, according to operators in the sector.
The TCU (Federal Audit Court) on Caixa Loterias SA’s delay in launching the platform and operating the service. The (Brazilian Federation of Lottery Companies) released one in February to protest against the federal government, which suspended Caixa’s bet project.
GOVERNMENT AGAINST BETS
Bets have been a constant target of the Lula government. At the request of the president, the Minister of Finance, Dario Durigan, will be one of the families that will prevent re-indebtedness due to fixed-odds bets.
Former Finance Minister Fernando Haddad the government (PL) for not having charged taxes on GGR (Gross Gaming Revenuegross gaming revenue) throughout the term. For him, there was a tax incentive that was a of betting houses in Brazil.
The economic team managed, with the approval of Congress, to approve a taxation of the GGR from 12% in 2025 to 15% by 2028. The government’s revenue from bookmakers.
Betting houses were also targeted by the government and the PT in “BBB taxation” ().
O Poder360 that, in August 2024, the Central Bank recorded that 5 million people belonging to Bolsa Família sent R$3 billion via Pix to bookmakers. After that, the government banned the use of social benefit payments for gambling.
Until December 2025, the Ministry of Finance had access to betting platforms for around 900 thousand beneficiaries of Bolsa Família and BPC (Continuous Payment Benefit). on-line.
The Lula government created one for all bets authorized to operate in the country. Since December last year, people have had one for Brazilians who believe that gambling has started to negatively affect their lives.
