The first year of regulated online sports betting and gaming in Brazil generated tax revenue of BRL9.95bn ($1.88bn), the government has revealed.

The figure is a significant jump on 2024’s BRL91m ($17.2m), with the Brazilian Federal Revenue Service noting the rise is a “direct reflection of the sector’s regulation.”

The Brazilian Ministry of Finance and its dedicated sub-division for the gaming industry, the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA), have licensed and help set up a whole host of operators in the market, including local brands and global entrants.

The growth in tax revenue has been matched by a series of regulatory developments including the launch of Brazil’s online self-exclusion system.

Meanwhile, the government has looked to capitalise on the growing sector by introducing tax rises at the start of 2026 after previous attempts to do so fell through.

Taxes will go from 12% to 13% this year, to 14% in 2027 and then to 18% in 2028.

For trade associations such as the Brazilian Institute for Responsible Gaming, the priority now is on tackling the illegal market, which still accounts for a sizeable portion of Brazilian online gaming activity.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board has filed a civil enforcement action in the District Court for Carson City against BLOCKRATIZE INC. d/b/a POLYMARKET; QCX LLC d/b/a POLYMARKET US; and ADVENTURE ONE QSS INC. d/b/a POLYMARKET. In its complaint, the Board asked the court for a declaration and injunction to stop Polymarket from offering unlicensed wagering in violation of Nevada law.

Polymarket operates a derivatives exchange and prediction market where it offers event contracts for sale. These products are offered for sale on Polymarket’s mobile app and are made available to people in Nevada. The Board considers offering sports event contracts, or certain other events contracts, to constitute wagering activity under NRS 463.0193 and 463.01962 and, therefore, entities offering such event contracts must be licensed.

The Board has deemed Polymarket’s operations to be unlawful in Nevada and in violation of NRS 463.160, NRS 463.350, NRS 465.086, and NRS 465.092.

Nevada’s public policy, as expressed by the Legislature, is that the gaming industry is vitally important to the economy of the state and the general welfare of the inhabitants and therefore must be licensed, controlled, and assisted to protect the public health, safety, morals, good order, and general welfare of the inhabitants of the State.