Brazil's New Minister Guilherme Boulos Advocates for Wealth and Betting Taxes in Inaugural Address

New Minister Takes Office and Outlines Fiscal Priorities

Guilherme Boulos officially assumed his role as Brazil's Minister of the General Secretariat of the Presidency on October 21, 2025, delivering his inaugural address on Wednesday, October 30, 2025, at the Palácio do Planalto in Brasília. In his first public statement as minister, Boulos strongly advocated for increased taxation on the nation's ultra-wealthy and betting companies, positioning these measures as central to the government's agenda for revenue generation and social equity.

Push for Taxation on Billionaires and Betting Operators

During his speech, Minister Boulos underscored the government's view that taxing billionaires and regulating betting firms are essential tools to bolster public funds and mitigate inequality. He openly criticized opposition parties for their reluctance to support these government-backed tax reform proposals. 'If they are against the system, why don't they support our proposal to tax billionaires and bets?' Boulos questioned, further asking, 'If they defend the people, why don't they join us to end the 6x1 scale?'

The call for increased taxation on betting companies comes amid ongoing legislative efforts. A previous Provisional Measure (MP) 1,303/2025, which aimed to raise the tax rate on betting operations from 12% to 18%, expired after being rejected by the Chamber of Deputies on October 8, 2025. Subsequently, on October 9, 2025, the Workers' Party introduced a new bill, PL 5,076/2025, proposing a 24% tax on gross gaming revenue (GGR) for gambling. The Ministry of Finance has also been actively working to curb illegal betting by collaborating with telecom regulator Anatel to block unlicensed websites and payment networks, aiming to formalize and tax Brazil's rapidly expanding gaming sector.

Commitment to Social and Labor Reforms

Beyond fiscal policy, Boulos also addressed social and labor issues, specifically highlighting the controversial '6x1 scale' labor model, which mandates six days of work for every one day of rest. He argued that this system disproportionately affects low-income workers and requires reform to ensure fairer labor conditions. The minister, a federal deputy for São Paulo and a prominent leader of the Homeless Workers' Movement (MTST), emphasized his commitment to maintaining dialogue with various political and social sectors, while drawing a clear line against those he considers opponents of democracy.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva attended the inauguration ceremony but did not deliver a speech. Boulos succeeds Márcio Macêdo in the ministerial position. His appointment is widely seen as a strategic move to strengthen the government's ties with popular and left-wing sectors, and to enhance his national visibility, particularly given his potential candidacy for mayor of São Paulo in 2026.