The bill has reportedly only been postponed, but some believe iGaming may prevent it from returning
Brazil’s long-debated proposal to legalize land-based gambling has once again been put on pause, with the Senate deciding to withdraw the vote on Bill 2,234 due to low attendance and growing political division. Senate President Davi Alcolumbre announced on Tuesday that the bill, which would open the door for casinos, bingo halls, horse racing, and the traditional jogo do bicho, will not move forward until further notice.
Only 56 senators were present in the chamber—well short of the full body—and several were traveling abroad on official business. Additionally, requests from members of the evangelical bloc to delay the vote added to the pressure. Alcolumbre emphasized that he consulted with various senators and reached a consensus to postpone the decision so that more lawmakers could participate in future discussions.
The legislation, originally introduced in 1991, aims to reverse Brazil’s decades-long gambling ban, which has been in place since 1946. Supporters argue that regulated gambling could generate more than R$100 billion (about $18.3 billion USD) in private investment, create over 1.5 million jobs, and produce around R$25 billion ($4.6 billion USD) in tax revenue. Senator Irajá, the bill’s rapporteur, reiterated those benefits during the session.
Despite those arguments, opposition remains strong. Critics cite concerns about social harms and question the impact on vulnerable communities. Senator Eduardo Girão, who has consistently opposed the bill, welcomed the delay and asked that the proposal be reviewed by three Senate committees before any future floor vote. He also called for a roll-call vote to ensure transparency, saying the public deserves full awareness of where each senator stands.
With no new date scheduled, the future of legalized land-based gambling in Brazil remains uncertain, though the debate is far from over. Lawmakers will likely revisit the issue later this year when a broader consensus may be easier to achieve.
