Brazil Delays Vote on Casino Legalisation Bill Until 2025

The Brazilian Senate has postponed voting on a bill to legalise land-based casinos, bingo halls, and horse racing betting until 2025. This decision, made during a session on December 4, follows ongoing debates and public protests surrounding the proposal.
Bill 2,234/2022, initially approved by the Chamber of Deputies’ Constitution and Justice and Citizenship Commission (CCJC) in June 2022, has faced repeated delays. Originally set for a vote in August, and later in October, the bill encountered further resistance in December. The senator leading the proposal, Irajá Silvestre, had hoped to secure a decision before the end of 2024.
Despite the Senate holding discussions on December 4, Irajá chose to withdraw the bill amid protests outside the Senate and a lack of consensus. Senate President Rodrigo Pacheco confirmed that the next vote will be scheduled in 2025.
Opposition to the bill has largely centred on concerns about gambling addiction. Several government departments, including the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Development and Social Assistance, are currently assessing the potential social impacts. Responses to these inquiries are expected within 30 days.
Senator Eduardo Girão, an outspoken critic of the bill, pointed to issues arising from the legalisation of online gambling in Brazil, which is set to begin in January 2025. He cited studies suggesting that gambling may adversely affect consumer spending, particularly among vulnerable groups. Girão argued that expanding legal gambling could exacerbate existing problems.
Other senators, such as Eliziane Gama and Esperidião Amin, have called for the bill to be permanently shelved, with Amin stating, “This bill has been in limbo for years and should now be buried.”
Irajá, however, continues to advocate for the bill, arguing that legalising gambling would help dismantle Brazil’s black-market gambling industry. He emphasised that a regulated market could provide safer conditions for players while generating tax revenue and allowing law enforcement to penalise illegal operators.
“We face a dilemma,” Irajá said. “Some defend the status quo, where gambling is controlled by organised crime. I support responsible gaming, regulated by the government, ensuring player safety and tax collection.”
While a new date for the vote has yet to be determined, the outcome could have significant implications for Brazil’s gambling landscape. In the meantime, public and political scrutiny will continue, particularly as the country prepares to launch regulated online gambling in 2025.