The proposed bill to legalise land-based casinos in Brazil is reportedly prepared for a vote in the Senate, according to the bill’s rapporteur, Senator Irajá Abreu. The readiness for a vote comes despite continued opposition, notably from evangelical political groups who remain against the expansion of gambling in the country.

The bill, designated as PL 2,234/2022, has been navigating the legislative process for some time. While the legal online betting market successfully launched in Brazil on January 1, 2025, this land-based casino bill has faced delays, remaining in limbo despite having been approved by the Justice and Citizenship Committee in June of the previous year (2024). The scheduled Senate vote has been pushed back on several occasions. However, Senator Irajá remains confident that the bill has sufficient support within the Senate to secure approval soon, despite the pushback from a number of political parties.

In an interview with iGaming Times on April 9, 2025, Senator Irajá stated that the matter is indeed “ready, ripe to be discussed and voted on in the plenary, as soon as our [senate] president Davi [Alcolumbre], together with the party leaders, understands that the environment is suitable for voting.”

Arguments Presented for Legalisation

Senator Irajá highlighted the significant potential economic benefits that legalised land-based casinos could bring to Brazil. He projected that the measure could provide an additional BRL22 billion (equivalent to approximately £2.8 billion or $3.8 billion) in taxes to the state. Furthermore, he argued it would help to double the country’s annual tourism numbers, from six million to 12 million visitors per year.

Characterising the bill as an “important project for the country,” Senator Irajá stated to iGaming Times, “We are going to revolutionise Brazilian tourism.” He drew a comparison with neighbouring nations, noting, “We cannot stand by and watch neighbouring countries like Argentina, Uruguay and Chile receive so many millions of international tourists, while Brazil cannot, because it does not offer this type of responsible gambling tourism.”

Facing Political Opposition

Despite the compelling economic arguments presented by supporters, the bill faces notable opposition. A key source of pushback comes from groups such as the Evangelical Parliamentary Front, an opposition party now led by Deputy Gilberto Nascimento, who took over as president in February 2025.

Senator Irajá indicated his willingness to engage with opponents and potentially be flexible in altering the text of the bill to gather broader support. He expressed openness to dialogue, “including with the evangelical bench, which has taken a very firm position against the approval of this matter,” stating his belief in finding “common sense.”

However, Deputy Gilberto Nascimento has made his party’s stance clear. In an interview with iGaming Times on April 13, 2025, Nascimento revealed that his party would not support casino legalisation, stating, “I will ask everyone to be against it” and confirming, “We will mobilise.” He expressed strong concerns about gambling addiction, particularly in light of the experience with online betting, and argued that casinos and physical games “tend to get worse.” Nascimento concluded his remarks by asserting that “Brazil is not a country with a vocation for gambling.”

Adding another perspective on the timing, Senator Jacques Wagner of Brazil’s Workers’ Party told iGaming Times last week that he believed the current moment was not appropriate for debating the legalisation of land-based gambling. He stated that “It is the worst time to debate this, due to the repercussions of the bets,” and felt that “There is no climate to vote this semester.”

In conclusion, while the bill to legalise land-based casinos in Brazil is technically ready for a vote in the Senate, its passage is far from guaranteed. It faces significant political opposition, particularly from evangelical groups with strong concerns about the social impact of expanded gambling, as well as reservations from others regarding the current timing. The rapporteur, Senator Irajá Abreu, remains confident in the bill’s potential and is open to negotiation, highlighting the substantial economic benefits related to taxation and tourism. However, the ultimate decision on when, or if, the bill will be brought to a vote rests with the Senate leadership, contingent on navigating the political landscape and the ability to build sufficient consensus despite the vocal objections.