Bets Pay Less Tax Than Basic Grocery Basket

The Brazilian Supermarket Association (Abras) once again criticized the disparity between the tax burden on essential foods and sports betting platforms this Wednesday (6/11). During the Brasília Summit, the entity highlighted that products such as cookies, butter, and yogurt are taxed up to 36% in some states, while virtual bets pay only 12%. It defended raising the selective tax on bets to the 50% ceiling provided in the tax reform, in addition to anticipating full ICMS exemption for the basic food basket. According to Abras, online betting has generated a strong social impact on families, without the appropriate tax compensation. Abras proposed to Vice President Geraldo Alckmin to accelerate the tax relief for basic foods — currently scheduled to occur gradually until 2033. The entity also demands that the composition of the National Basic Food Basket respect regional diversity and nutritional value, reinforcing the social nature of the tax benefit. While retail advocates for ...