Brazilian Senate to vote on legalizing land-based casinos

Added: April 17, 2024

This week, the Brazilian Senate’s Constitution and Justice Commission will choose whether or not to legalise land-based casinos countrywide.

The CCJ will consider PL 2.234/2022, a bill that was first introduced two years ago, on April 17. The law, if approved, would legalise horse racing, bingo halls, casinos, and the “jogo do bicho” lottery.

The bill’s supporter, Senator Irajá, serves as the rapporteur. With the exception of São Paulo, which could have up to three casinos, and a few other states where up to two casinos would be permitted, the bill proposes permitting one casino in each state as well as the Federal District.

If they complied with regulations, casinos might also run on river and sea vessels. They could be granted a thirty-year license and would require a minimum paid-up share capital of at least R$100 million.

The measure also addresses bingo, permitting one legal organisation to run the game for every seven hundred thousand residents in each state. Licences could be renewed after their initial twenty-five-year period.

Following their accreditation by the Ministry of Agriculture, racecourses may also be permitted to offer wagering on horse races in addition to bingo and video bingo games.

Citing the economic significance of the gambling industry, Senator Irajá says that the bill seeks to regulate an existing practice and transfer it to government control. The “Ministry of Finance” was substituted for the “Ministry of Economy” in the wording amendment put up by the rapporteur after some amendments to the bill were rejected.

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