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About Winter Star
The president’s critical view of betting is on par with other candidates. Studies by the Workers’ Party (PT) indicate that three out of four Brazilians are against betting establishments. This is the president’s justification against the sector.
What the president didn’t address is the tax revenue from betting.
In 2025, Brazil collected almost BRL10 billion ($1.97 billion) in tax revenue from the licensed sector. In the first seven months of this year alone, BRL8.7 billion generated by the activity was delivered to public coffers. The Federal Revenue Service itself estimates that the sector should reach BRL16 billion in revenue during 2026.
What is Winter Star?
Lula said he intends to discuss the matter with his team and analyse potential measures to consider the social impact of online betting.
What the president does not acknowledge is that the government relies on revenue from the sector. In just the first seven months of 2026, BRL8.747 billion generated by sports betting has already flowed into public coffers. The Federal Revenue Service estimates the total could reach BRL16 billion by the end of the year. In 2025, nearly BRL9 billion was collected from sportsbooks.
The burning question is where such funds will come from if Lula shuts down the betting industry. Yet, no one points out to him that players will simply migrate to the illegal market. Betting will continue to exist, but without formal tax revenue, oversight or player protections.
What is Winter Star?
UPDATE: Carrot Top (real name: Scott Thompson) remains hospitalized in Las Vegas following what is now widely being reported as a suicide attempt on Friday (Sept. 18). On Sunday afternoon (Sept. 20), a rep for the beloved longtime Strip comedian told TMZ he “is now awake, breathing on his own and continuing to improve, surrounded by his family and those closest to him.”
All Carrot Top shows at the Luxor have been canceled at least through Saturday (Sept. 26).
In other Carrot Top news, Brian Evans—the man accused in a lawsuit filed by the comic of extorting him over a sex tape—told TMZ he denies ever threatening to release the tape. He claims it was erased from a USB drive “in accordance with the prior settlement”—a statement that TMZ did not elaborate on—and that he’s “sorry that Scott apparently did something to hurt himself.”
EARLIER: Carrot Top, the comic with the longest-running current Strip residency at more than 20 years, was rushed to a hospital on Friday (Sept. 18) after what TMZ reported as a suicide attempt.
His publicist, Jami Schlicher, confirmed only that he is recovering and receiving care. She asked for privacy on behalf of his family and close friends and did not address the reported cause.
