Brazil's Casino Legislation Bill Delayed Again
The Brazilian Senate President Davi Alcolumbre has postponed the vote on a bill that aims to legalize casinos, bingo, horse racing, and the traditional jogo do bicho lottery-style game nationwide.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:The decision to delay the vote was attributed to low attendance in the Senate chamber, as there were only 56 senators on seat when the legislative session convened yesterday, July 8, to discuss the bill.
The quorum is very low - 56 senators. And this Presidency cannot be questioned, at all times, about the deliberation of matters. In view of the great divergence and the absence of senators, I would like to inform you that I will remove it from the agenda ex officio.
However, Alcolumbre did not specify when the bill might be reconsidered or sent to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for approval.
A Bill Decades in the Making
It's possible that senators opposing the bill may have deliberately absented themselves to block the quorum, thereby stalling the legislation.
First proposed in 1991 and approved by the Chamber of Deputies in 2022, Bill 2234 has been stuck in limbo for over 30 years, awaiting a Senate vote. The proposal has divided lawmakers, with critics citing crime and addiction risks, while supporters see potential for revenue and economic growth.
More Regulation News
Bill 2234, which has already cleared the lower house and the Senate's Constitution and Justice Commission, seeks to overturn Brazil's nearly 80-year ban on games of chance, which has been in place since a law was enacted in 1946. Under the law, only Brazilian-based companies will be permitted to operate retail gambling, and only in locations previously approved by the government.
Online Betting Booms
While the fate of retail gambling hangs in the balance, the online betting landscape in Brazil is rapidly evolving. Online betting has been legal since January 2024, with licensed operators offering fixed-odds sports betting online and in retail locations under the Ministry of Finance's oversight.
However, concerns about the proliferation of gambling ads, problem gambling, and potential addiction persist. Last month, the Brazilian Senate approved new legislation introducing a range of restrictions on gambling advertisements.
RELATED TOPICS: Regulation
Review this New Post
Leave a Comment
User Comments
Comments for Brazil's Casino Legislation Bill Delayed Again