TLDR Brazil’s Senate may vote on a casino legalization bill before the July 18 recess Rapporteur Senator Irajá is seeking support from party leaders to add the bill to the agenda The bill would legalize casinos, bingo halls, jogo do bicho, and horse race betting The Constitution and Justice Committee approved it in June 2024 by a narrow 14 to 12 vote Senator Eduardo Girão opposes the bill, citing high household debt tied to betting companies
Brazil’s Federal Senate may vote on a long-debated casino bill before lawmakers leave for recess on July 18. The bill would legalize land-based casinos and bingo halls across the country.
It would also legalize jogo do bicho, a popular lottery-style game played informally for decades. Betting on horse races would become legal under the same measure.
Senator Irajá, who represents Tocantins, is the rapporteur guiding the bill through the Senate. He has been working to gain support from party leaders to schedule a vote.
Irajá says the bill could reshape Brazil’s gambling sector. He calls it one of the biggest potential changes to gambling rules in decades.
The senator argues that regulation would let the government control gambling activity more closely. He says it would also raise tax revenue for the state.
Irajá pointed to job creation as another benefit of the bill. He said the measure could help boost Brazil’s tourism industry.
“I am absolutely convinced that we have the necessary support in the Federal Senate because this is a strategic activity for our economy that will generate revenue for the Brazilian State,” Irajá said.
Tourism Argument Central to Rapporteur’s Case
Irajá has repeatedly tied the bill to tourism growth. He says Brazil’s tourism sector has stalled and needs new investment.
He cited other countries where legal gambling helped attract