Brazil has encountered a significant delay regarding a pending vote on a federal bill aimed at updating the country’s gambling regulations for casinos, horse racing, bingo, and instant win games like jogo do bicho.
The Senate began reviewing the bill in September after it received backing from Senator Irajá Abreu. The bill also received widespread support, highlighting the need for the Senate to hasten its review process to coincide with the launch of Brazil’s forthcoming online gambling framework, known as the Bets Market.
However, the Senate recently decided to postpone the vote until 2025. Following a regular session, Senator Eduardo Girão justified the delay by pointing out that the framework required further development.
The proposal was met with opposition since the bill’s policies, initially introduced over ten years ago by former sponsor Renato Vianna (MDB-SC), were in conflict with the 1946 Decree Law established by President Gaspar Dutra. This decree had banned casinos in Brazil’s municipalities and districts.
Senator Flávio Arns put forth a suggestion to delay the vote and downgrade its urgency status on the legislative agenda, which was endorsed by 33 Senators. Additionally, a formal inquiry was made to the Ministry of Health to assess the bill’s impact on the national budget and its potential interference with the United Health System (SUS) and the Unified Social Assistance System (SUAS).
Rodrigo Pacheco, President of the Senate, remarked, “If the urgency request is denied and Senator Flávio Arns’s request for information is approved, it would eliminate the possibility of approval this year, leaving the decision to the next Senate leadership.”
As a result, the casino bill was removed from the Senate’s daily agenda by its rapporteur, Senator Irajá Abreu. Senator Alessandro Vieira commented on the situation, noting, “We are experiencing a very turbulent period with the regulation of betting,” as reported by SBC Noticias.