Lula determines resumption of measures to tax bets and fintechs

THE President Lula determined that the government insist on increasing taxation on bets and fintechs, in addition to once again proposing spending-cutting initiatives that were within the Provisional Tax Measure, stated the government leader in Congress, senator Randolfe Rodrigues.

According to Folha de S.Paulothe guidance was given by Lula during a lunch this Monday (20), with the presence of the Minister of Finance, Fernando Haddadthe Minister of the Institutional Relations Secretariat, Gleisi Hoffmann, and Legislative leaders.

“The government will insist on the line that bets and banks (fintechs) have to be taxed,” stated Randolfe.

Senator Randolfe stated that bets have to be taxed “for public health reasons”. “It’s not even a question of revenue. It is necessary to tax bets and others, which are more harmful to health, we will debate the ban”, stated the government leader.

Provisional Measure 1,303/2025, expected to increase the rate on the gross revenue of bookmakers from 12% to 18%, minus the prizes paid to players, which would generate around R$1.7 billion extra in 2026.

According to Randolfe, the government is still evaluating which path it will take to return to the issue in Congress, whether through a new Executive project or based on proposals already in progress. “We are adjusting. It can be via the government or based on initiatives that are already in Congress. In relation to bets, the government is convinced and determined to present all the measures that are necessary”, he explained.

Fintechs and Spending Cuts

The MP overturned by the Chamber of Deputies also planned to increase the CSLL (Social Contribution on Net Profit) charged to fintechs. The text established that the rate would increase from 9% to 15% in payment institutions and from 15% to 20% in financial institutions, equal to that charged by traditional banks. The sector, however, reacted by stating that, in practice, it already bears a higher tax burden than that of large banks.

According to Randolfe, the government will also insist on the part of the MP that dealt with spending cuts, but it must deal with this in parallel. “We are going to separate the measures related to expenses from those related to taxation. I think this is even more educational for talking to Brazilians”, he pointed out.