Brazil’s Senate Nears Vote on Land-Based Gambling Legalization

Brazil’s senate is expected to vote on a bill to legalize land-based gambling within weeks, potentially before the Senate’s July recess. The bill, deemed urgent, has gained momentum after recent developments.

Senate President Davi Alcolumbre has reportedly informed leaders of his intention to prioritize the vote on land-based gambling. The bill, PL 2,234/2022, previously cleared the Justice and Citizenship Committee in June 2024, but subsequent Senate votes were delayed.

While the exact timing of the vote remained uncertain, Minister of Tourism Celso Sabino had expressed optimism for a decision in the first half of the year. Alcolumbre’s appointment as Senate president in February, a known advocate for gambling, further suggested a potential prioritization of the issue.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is not anticipated to oppose the bill and is expected to grant final approval if it passes the Senate.

Public Support for Land-Based Gambling in Brazil

Recent challenges in the online gambling market, including higher tax rates and advertising restrictions, have highlighted the complexities of the betting sector in Brazil. However, public sentiment appears to favor the legalization of casinos and retail sports betting.

A state-funded DataSenado survey, conducted in April, revealed significant support for land-based gambling. The survey, conducted by a research institute affiliated with the Federal Senate’s Transparency Secretariat, indicated that 60% of Brazilian adults support legalization, while only 34% oppose it.

The survey also found that 58% of respondents believe legalizing land-based gambling would increase tax revenue, and 44% anticipate it would create more jobs.

Evangelical Opposition Persists

Despite the apparent public support, considerable opposition remains, particularly from the evangelical sector in Brazil.

Gilberto Nascimento, President of the Evangelical Parliamentary Front, stated that his party would not support the legalization of land-based gambling.

“I will ask everyone to be against it,” Nascimento said on 13 April. “We will mobilize.”

“Everyone is addicted [to gambling], just look at what is happening with [online] betting. Casinos and physical games tend to get worse. Brazil is not a country with a vocation for gambling.”