The chamber is being pushed into voting on the subject instead of waiting until later this year
The Brazilian Senate is getting ready for a potentially significant vote on legalizing casinos by the end of September. Senator Irajá Abreu is leading the push to finalize and vote on Bill 2,234/22, which aims to update Brazil’s outdated gambling laws. This bill could transform the country’s gaming landscape by allowing land-based casinos, horseracing, bingo, and instant win games, which have been largely banned since 1946.
Senator Abreu has emphasized the importance of modernizing Brazil’s gambling regulations, citing the bill’s readiness after years of being sidelined. He believes the bill has strong support within the Senate and hopes to see it pass before the municipal elections create further delays.
The proposed legislation has gained backing from several key figures in the gaming industry, including Magnho José Santos, President of the Legal Gaming Institute, and Hazenclever Lopes Cançado, President of the Rio de Janeiro State Lottery. Their support highlights the growing momentum behind the bill as it moves through the Senate.
Finance Minister Fernando Haddad has also shown support for updating the country’s gambling laws, aligning Brazil with other OECD and G20 nations where gambling is regulated. However, the government is cautious about moving too quickly, particularly as they prioritize the launch of the Brazil Bets market, a federally regulated online gambling marketplace set to debut in January.
The Senate’s decision in September will be crucial for the future of gambling in Brazil, potentially paving the way for a regulated industry that could contribute significantly to the country’s economy while addressing the challenges generated by unregulated, illegal gambling activities.
