Finance Minister announces strict oversight of betting sites and says the sector causes harm to families.

Brazilian Finance Minister Dario Durigan stated that online betting sites cause "harm to Brazilian families." The statement was made this Wednesday (June 10th) during the opening of the 7th Plenary Meeting of the Council for Sustainable Economic and Social Development, at the Itamaraty Palace. The federal government will intensify its oversight of the online betting sector.

The statement came two days after the Ministry of Finance reversed a decision that would have classified documents on the registration of betting companies in the country as confidential for up to 100 years. The change in position occurred after Estadão published the initial decision.

On Monday (June 8), Durigan had announced that the Ministry of Finance would form a task force with the Comptroller General of the Union to allow access to documents on betting records . The minister informed that, in the coming days, all processes dealing with prize and betting companies in the country will have "full transparency".

Durigan compared the treatment given to online betting companies in previous administrations with the current government. According to the minister, previously these companies "had the same immunity as churches." He stated that the situation changed under Lula's administration.

"Today, betting sites pay out more than the average for the business sector, and today they are disclosing data and being audited," he stated.

The minister presented the results of the government's inspection work. More than 30 irregular companies were taken out of operation. The government also banned the use of credit cards for gambling. The measure aims to protect the budgets of Brazilian families.

"Thirty thousand betting companies have already been shut down, and the prediction market has been banned," Durigan stated.

The central theme of this year's Council meeting is "From national sovereignty to global leadership." Durigan emphasized that online betting companies currently collect taxes in amounts higher than the average of other business sectors. The minister highlighted that these companies are obligated to share data with the competent authorities.

In the area of ​​public security, the minister announced a cooperation between the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, and the US government. The partnership aims to disrupt the financial flow of criminal factions. The strategy will be executed by the Federal Revenue Service, the Council for the Control of Financial Activities, and the Federal Police. The focus is on freezing the assets of organized crime.

During the event at the Itamaraty Palace, President Lula participated in a ceremony to celebrate the registration of Pix as a highly renowned trademark at the National Institute of Industrial Property. The president posed alongside cabinet ministers holding a plaque about the instant payment system created by the Central Bank with the phrase "Pix belongs to Brazil."

Durigan used his speech to defend an economic policy that achieves what he called "harmonization with social policy." The minister, who is 42 years old, stated that the challenge for his generation is to provide a humanist economic policy.

“I believe that, in Brazil, at this historical juncture and with the president as our leader, we have this calling to take a step forward and present this proposal. An economic policy that is humanist, progressive, that has fiscal responsibility, very seriously placed as a guide for our decision-making, and that pragmatically and politically responsibly harmonizes with social policy,” he stated.

The Finance Minister also criticized the current interest rate in the country. The Selic rate is at 14,5%. Durigan described the percentage as "uncivilized." The statement was made during the opening of the meeting of the National Economic and Social Development Council (Conselhão). This council brings together representatives from various sectors of society to discuss economic and social development policies.

The Finance Minister presented data on inflation in the country. According to Durigan, the rates are "under control." The minister projected that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will register the lowest inflation rate at the end of a term in Brazilian history.

Durigan also commented on the performance of the Brazilian economy. "Brazil is growing much more than expected," the minister stated. The event at Itamaraty marks the seventh plenary meeting of the council since its reactivation by the federal government.

The minister highlighted the results of the Desenrola 2.0 program. The economic team's initiative has reached six million people since its launch. The program began in early May 2026.