Brazil’s Senate advances casino and bingo legalisation with Government support

Brazil’s Senate is set to vote on the urgency and approval of Bill 2234/22 before the Senate’s July recess.

The bill legalises casinos, bingos and jogo do bicho, or the animal game, which is an illegal yet culturally ingrained lottery-style betting game in Brazil.

The move, reportedly backed by the Federal Government, would mark a historic shift in the country’s gambling scene.

The bill’s lead figure, Senator Irajá, also stated that the proposal does not have a say on online betting, which is already covered by other legislation, but instead creates a controlled framework limited to physical locations.

Casinos would be restricted to integrated resorts, with a maximum of one per state, except for five larger territories, including São Paulo, which could host up to three. Payments via cash or Pix, Brazil’s instant payment system, would be prohibited and only credit cards would be accepted.

Supporters argue the model could generate up to BR20bn annually in taxes and create over one million jobs. Research conducted by the government and the Senate reportedly indicates public support and little resistance to the plan.

Good to know: Brazil’s Senate President Davi Alcolumbre supported increasing the national sports betting tax from 12% to 18%

As the Brazilian Government balances economic opportunity with social responsibility, the future of gambling in Brazil remains an evolving debate.

Carlos Mendez

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For Carlos Mendez, betting markets are best understood as conversations between numbers and behavior. His work focuses on interpreting what odds reveal about risk, pricing, and public sentiment rather than chasing short-term outcomes. Growing up in Buenos Aires, Carlos was immersed early in football culture...

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