The Brazilian Senate once again postpones the vote on the gambling bill

The Brazilian Senate has voted again for Bill 2234/2022, which provides for the legalization of land-based casinos, bingo halls and the traditional Brazilian game jogo do bicho. The decision to cancel the debate was made by the Speaker of the Senate Davi Alcolumbre at the session of July 8, 2025. He cited the lack of a quorum: out of 81 senators, there were only 56, which did not allow the vote to be held. A new date for considering the initiatives has not been set, the bill has been postponed indefinitely.

As a reminder, the project provides for the opening of casinos in tourist centers or integrated entertainment complexes, such as resorts and luxury hotels. Casinos can also be located on sea vessels (limited to ten in the country) and on river vessels with a minimum of 50 cabins. The distribution of casinos on river vessels will be shorter than the length of the river. Casinos can also be located on sea and river vessels. Each state and federal district may have one casino, with the exception of São Paulo (up to three casinos), and Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Amazonas and Pará (up to two casinos due to population or territorial size).
All states and federal districts may have only one casino, with the exception of São Paulo (up to three casinos), and Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Amazonas and Pará (up to two casinos due to population or territorial size).

The bill also introduces legal regulations for various bingo formats, including card, electronic and video games, which will lead to their permanent implementation in specially designated areas. Each municipality will have one bingo hall, and in more remote areas, one establishment per 150,000 inhabitants.

The document provides for the introduction of two specialized fiscal instruments: the Gaming and Betting Supervision Levy (Tafija) and the Targeted Economic Strategy for the Implementation of Gambling (Cide-Jogos). At the same time, operators are exempt from paying taxes and fees related to the structure of gaming activities.

All rented slot machines undergo mandatory state registration and regular monitoring. The financial revenue from their operation includes 60% when using a bingo hall or casino operator and 40% for the company supplying the equipment, with the calculation based on the difference between the total bets and the amount of winnings paid out.

The law also allows the acceptance of bets on horse racing if they are carried out by organizations that have received the appropriate accreditation from the Ministry of Agriculture. Such an organization simultaneously organizes bingo and video bingo games, provided that all events are held on the same platform.

The project could pave the way for the creation of a licensed and regulated network of land-based casinos in Brazil's tourist areas, which would bring billions of reais into the state budget based on preliminary costs. However, while the government comprehensively develops online betting, legalized since 2024, the question of serious gambling remains in limbo. The lack of consensus in the Senate is holding up the most anticipated reforms in the country's entertainment industry.