Brazil to vote on casino regulations following Parliament recess

The bill to regulate Brazil’s land-based casinos, bingo, horse racing and jogo do bicho (instant win games) will most likely be voted on in August. 

The announcement came from Senate President Rodrigo Pacheco (PSD-MG), who said that there is no need to rush with the vote on Bill 2,234/2022.

According to Pacheco, it’s best to look at the matter with a level head after the Parliament comes back from its recess, which starts on 18 July and ends on 31 July. 

“There is no need to rush,” he commented. “We can vote on it perfectly well after the recess. But it will be voted on, because, having passed through the Chamber, through the Constitution, Justice and Citizenship Commission of the Senate, if there is a predisposition of the Executive, we have to submit it to a vote.”

Bill No. 2,234/2022 carries a project to reorganise land-based gambling laws in Brazil, by modifying existing rights and modalities granted to individual states and municipalities. Drafted over a decade ago and following a two-year delay in its mediation, the Bill was approved by a Senate Committee in June and allowed to progress for its revision by Brazil’s federal plenary.

The Bill is endorsed by Senator Irajá Abreu (PSD-TO), who seeks to reverse the 1946 Decree Law of President Gaspar Dutra that banned casinos from operating in State municipalities and districts.

A key stakeholder in upcoming proceedings, Pacheco was quoted by media outlet Valor Econômico as wanting to present the bill directly to the Federal Congress (upper house) to expedite the vote, which has been opposed by the Senate’s Evangelical Caucus. 

The Caucus argues that the draft does not include the necessary guarantees to minimise gambling risks, including addiction, and is also reportedly seeking to implement a ban on gambling from municipalities with historically high crime rates. 

“This matter has reached the committee stage, now we have to find a date for it to go to the full Senate. There has been enough debate, those in favour are in favour, and those against are against. Everyone has their arguments. It is very important that it is put to a vote,” Pacheco added.

It is important to note that the Bill 2,234/22 to be voted in August is separate from the upcoming regulatory launch of the sports betting market in Brazil under the framework of Bill 3,626/2023 – mandated by the Secretariat of Betting and Prizes (SPA).

The progress of the bill is expected to hinge on several amendments, as the project to reorganize Brazil’s land-based gambling laws was initially drafted by former deputy Renato Vianna in the 1990s.