Brazilian senate could vote on land-based gambling legalization before July recess

Brazil’s Senate may soon move forward on long-debated legislation to legalize land-based gambling, with a vote potentially taking place before the legislative recess in July. As per local newspaper Metrópoles, Senate President Davi Alcolumbre has reportedly informed party leaders that the proposal, Bill PL 2,234/2022, will be treated as a matter of urgency, marking a pivotal moment in the country's gambling reform agenda.

The bill, which seeks to allow casinos and other forms of land-based gambling to operate legally in Brazil, was approved by the Senate’s Justice and Citizenship Committee in June 2024. However, it has faced repeated delays in being brought to the floor for a full Senate vote. 

Alcolumbre’s appointment as Senate president earlier this year was viewed as a signal that the measure would gain momentum, given his history of supporting expanded gambling legislation.

Tourism Minister Celso Sabino had previously expressed optimism that the bill would be voted on within the first half of the year. If passed by the Senate, the proposal is not expected to encounter opposition from President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who would be responsible for enacting it into law.

The push for legalization comes as Brazil’s recently launched online gambling market grapples with criticism. Digital betting operators, which began operating under new regulations from January 1, have faced higher tax burdens and stricter advertising rules than originally expected, showcasing government concerns over gambling-related harm and the need to increase public revenue.

In contrast, land-based gambling has gained traction among the Brazilian public. A nationwide survey conducted by DataSenado in April revealed that 60% of adults support legalizing physical gambling venues. The study also found that 58% of respondents believed legalization would help increase tax revenue, while 44% said it would generate more employment.

Despite growing public acceptance, resistance remains strong among religious and conservative groups, particularly within the evangelical community. Gilberto Nascimento, President of the Evangelical Parliamentary Front, reaffirmed his opposition earlier this year. 

“I will ask everyone to be against it,” Nascimento said in 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.”