Could Land-Based Gambling Be Legalized in Brazil in 2025?
Despite Brazil regulating online gambling in January, questions remain over if and when the land-based alternative will be legalized.
Although the Justice and Citizenship Committee in Brazil approved PL 2,234/2022 in June last year to legalize land-based casinos, bingo, jogo do bicho, and horse race betting, the Senate vote faced multiple postponements.
However, the appointment of pro-gambling Davi Alcolumbre as Senate president in February and a shift in mindset in Brazil has given some in the industry hope 2025 will finally be the year the country legalizes land-based betting.
“Alcolumbre is not only a very experienced senator but is also very knowledgeable about the importance of legalizing land-based entertainment,” Hard Rock’s Alex Pariente told iGB. “So there’s good dialogue, there’s good collaboration. I think we have good sentiment towards advancing with this.”
Argentina Senate Preparing to Debate Online Gambling Ad Ban
The Senate in Argentina is preparing to debate a bill that would ban advertising of online gambling in the country.
In November, Argentina’s House of Representatives approved a bill to ban all advertising of online gambling through channels such as TV, radio and other media outlets.
According to G3Newswire, the bill will now go through just three committees rather than the previously established five, with the Senate session to be overseen by Senator Lucia Corpacci.
Illegal Operators Account for 60 percent of Brazil Betting Market, IBJR CEO Warns
André Gelfi, co-founder and CEO of the Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming (IBJR), has cautioned that the illegal market still represents around 60 percent of Brazil’s monthly gross gaming revenue (GGR).
Brazil launched its regulated online gambling market on Jan. 1, though concerns remain over the black market, with licensed operators wary of unfair competition.
Gelfi, who also holds the position of managing partner of Betsson in Brazil, told Poder360 illegal operators still account for BRL1 billion ($175 million) in GGR a month, which equates to 60 percent of the total online market.
“Our main challenge going forward is the formalisation of our betting market,” Gelfi said. “There is unmonitored, untaxed economic activity taking place in this market and this makes the development of a sustainable market very difficult.”
Brazil to Ban Betting with Social Welfare, SPA Leader Confirms
Regis Dudena, head of the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA), has confirmed gambling with social welfare funds in Brazil will be prohibited.
In an interview with Estadão, Dudena confirmed the SPA will ban recipients of social welfare programs like Bolsa Família and the Continuous Benefit Payment (BPC) from betting in Brazil.
Dudena’s confirmation comes after a Supreme Federal Court ruling in November that upheld Minister Luis Fux’s emergency measure banning gambling with social welfare funds.
“We are preparing a measure to comply with the decision in the way we think is possible, which is to prohibit beneficiaries, specifically of Bolsa Família and BPC,” Dudena said. “But this is still in the final stages of alignment, especially legal, to see if it complies with the Supreme Court’s decision.”
Brazil Regulator Invites States to Collaborate on National Betting System
The Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA) in Brazil has invited state politicians to a meeting to discuss creating a “national betting system” aimed at aligning state regulations with federal gambling laws.
The SPA will host a meeting at the Ministry of Finance headquarters in Brasília, with the aim of aligning state gambling laws with federal regulations and developing a unified betting strategy for Brazil.
The regulator believes a national betting system in Brazil would enhance cooperation between federal and state governments, strengthening relationships and improving the enforcement of betting laws and regulations in the country’s newly regulated online betting market.
As outlined by the SPA, the national betting system would clarify federal rules, promote best practices, establish minimum standards for responsible gambling, and enhance methods for combating money laundering and match-fixing.
