Originally introduced by Senator Irajá Abreu, the bill aims to update Brazil’s outdated gambling laws and aligns with efforts to launch a federal framework for online gambling
The Brazilian Senate has postponed its vote on Bill No. 2,234/2022, which seeks to modernize regulations for land-based gambling activities, including casinos, horseracing, bingo, and jogo do bicho (instant win games).
The delay became official after an ordinary session in which Senator Eduardo Girão requested the temporary suspension, citing the need to finalize the legislative framework. As a result, further readings of the bill have been rescheduled for 2025.
Originally introduced by Senator Irajá Abreu, the bill aims to update Brazil’s outdated gambling laws and aligns with efforts to launch a federal framework for online gambling. However, the Senate rejected calls to expedite its review, citing concerns that the policies were drafted over a decade ago by former sponsor Renato Vianna (MDB-SC). Vianna had advocated for upholding the 1946 Decree Law issued by President Gaspar Dutra, which banned casinos in Brazil.
During discussions, Senator Flávio Arns proposed postponing the vote and removing the bill’s “urgent” status on the legislative agenda, a motion signed by 33 Senators. Additionally, an official request has been made for the Ministry of Health to assess the bill’s potential budgetary impact and its implications for Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS) and Unified Social Assistance System (SUAS).
Rodrigo Pacheco, President of the Senate, commented:
“In case of rejection of the request for urgency and compliance with the request for information, suggested by Senator Flávio Arns, there would inevitably be no possibility of approval this year, and it would correspond to the next Board of Directors, to the next Leaders, the decision on the procedure. There would be no such fear of the risk of submission in the coming weeks.”
Following this, the bill was removed from the Senate’s daily agenda by its rapporteur, Irajá Abreu.
Senator Alessandro Vieira remarked on the postponement:
“We are living a very turbulent moment with the regulation of betting,”.
The decision underscores the Senate’s caution in handling the complexities of gambling legislation amidst ongoing debates on Brazil’s betting and gaming landscape.