Brazil’s Senate President postpones vote to legalize retail gambling
President Davi Alcolumbre cited ‘low quorum’ with just over 50 senators present during the session despite also acknowledging the bill has been pending for over 30 years.
Key Points
- Bill 2234 would legalize casinos, bingo, horse racing and jogo do bicho across the country, but was not given a future consideration date by President Alcolumbre
- Alcolumbre reportedly met with colleagues on official trips to discuss the legislation, choosing to postpone the vote so consultants could take part in debates and final decision making
Brazil Senate President Davi Alcolumbre decided on July 8 to postpone the legalization vote of Bill 2234, which looks to allow for retail gambling in the form of casinos, bingo, horse racing and jogo do bicho across the country.
Alcolumbre cited a “low quorum” as only 56 senators were in attendance for the legislative session, and failed to provide a future consideration date as to when the bill may be put forth to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
“The quorum is very low – 56 senators. And this Presidency cannot be questioned, at all times, about the deliberation of matters. In view of the great divergence and the absence of senators, I would like to inform you that I will remove it from the agenda ex officio,” Alcolumbre said.
Originally brought forth in 1991 and approved by the country’s Chamber of Deputies in 2022, Alcolumbre acknowledged Bill 2234 has been pending for over 30 years and is “long overdue” for a vote.
According to the proposal, which was also granted approval by the Senate committee in June 2024, only companies based in Brazil will be able to operate retail gambling and allowed in locations previously authorized by the country’s government.
Good to know: Brazil’s Finance Minister, Fernando Haddad, once again called for stronger taxation against sports betting companies on July 8, accusing operators of profiting massively in the country while contributing little to job creation or the national economy
Land-based gambling and casinos were outlawed in Brazil back in 1946, as the ban has survived numerous attempts to legalize retail offerings mainly based upon arguments of morals from opposition.
At whichever point Brazil’s parliament may approve the legislation, it would then be sent to President Silva’s office for final sanction before being authorized into law.
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