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The Brazilian Senate is scheduled to vote this Tuesday, 8 July, on the long-debated bill to legalise land-based casinos, marking a pivotal moment for the country’s gambling industry. After multiple delays, the proposal — PL 2,234/2022 — has been formally included as item four on the Senate’s official agenda by Senate President Davi Alcolumbre.
Senate Decision Could Open New Era for Brazil’s Gambling Market
While Brazil formally launched its licensed online gambling sector on 1 January 2025, the legislation around land-based casinos has remained stalled despite prior approval from the Justice and Citizenship Committee in 2023. The upcoming vote is the closest the land-based legislation has come to full Senate review since its inception.
If passed, the bill will be forwarded to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for final approval. Sources close to the government suggest the president is unlikely to block the measure.
Public and Political Support Growing for Casino Legalisation
According to an April DataSenado national survey, 60% of Brazilian adults expressed support for the legalisation of land-based casinos. Proponents argue the legalisation could provide a much-needed boost to the Brazilian economy, particularly amid concerns over fiscal gaps and social programme funding.
Survey results further show that:
58% believe legalising land-based gambling would increase tax revenues
44% think it would create more job opportunities
Only 22% believe it would have no impact on state revenue
Supporters within the government have framed the move as a fiscally responsible alternative to recent tax increases, particularly the decision to raise the gross gaming revenue (GGR) tax on online operators from 12% to 18%.
Projected Economic Impact
Industry analysts estimate that regulated land-based casinos could generate as much as BRL20 billion ($3.5 billion) annually in new revenue. The figure includes potential gains from tourism, employment, infrastructure, and tax contributions, making the sector attractive to lawmakers seeking diversified revenue streams.
The proposal is also seen as a way to address regional economic inequality, with supporters pushing for the development of integrated casino resorts in areas outside Brazil’s main metropolitan zones.
Ongoing Opposition Raises Concerns About Public Safety
Despite broad support, the bill continues to face resistance, most notably from Senator Eduardo Girão, a long-time critic of gambling in Brazil. Girão has cited recent media reports that suggest a rise in money laundering activity tied to both regulated and grey-market gambling platforms.
“You can read the headlines of O Globo, Estadão, and Folha recently, showing that organised crime has never laundered so much money, never made so much profit from the advent of gambling,” Girão said in June.
He also criticised the Lula administration, claiming that permitting additional gambling activities contradicts the government’s stated mission to protect vulnerable and low-income citizens.
Next Steps
The outcome of Tuesday’s vote will determine whether Brazil moves forward with comprehensive legalisation of its land-based gambling sector, potentially reshaping the market landscape and positioning the country as a major regulated gambling hub in Latin America.
Should the Senate approve the bill, the final stage will be a presidential review, after which a full regulatory framework and licensing process would need to be developed before operations can begin.
Source: iGaming Business
