The Senate’s agenda for this first semester will continue to include voting on the bill to regulate games in land-based spaces, such as jogo do bicho and casinos, in Brazil.
According to information, there is an agreement with the president of the House, Davi Alcolumbre (União-AP), which also has the approval of sanction by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT).
The government and Congress see the bill as an opportunity to raise R$22 billion in taxes annually. The bill, approved by the Chamber of Deputies, is a priority for the president of the Senate and the Executive Branch. This is also the idea of the rapporteur, Senator Irajá (PSD-TO).
Tourism Minister Celso Sabino (União) has repeatedly reaffirmed that the government supports the proposal and will avoid changes to the text approved by the Chamber of Deputies. The Minister of Tourism understood that the project could attract tourists to Brazil, while limiting the opening of casinos and similar businesses.
“It is a text that restricts the number of integrated resorts with casinos in the federative units. The prospect, based on the conversations we have been having, is that within the first half of 2025 this project will be approved,” said Celso Sabino.
Casino Resorts in Brazil
If approved and sanctioned in its current format, 34 resorts with integrated casinos will be able to operate in Brazil. In this way, the licenses will be made available through the payment of concessions. Casinos on vessels would be limited to 10 throughout the country.
The proposal also allows other types of gaming establishments, such as bingo halls. Bingo halls and video bingo halls will be allowed to operate in horse racing clubs, with one license per municipality for every 150,000 inhabitants. Thus, the animal game would also become legal, with one license for every 700,000 inhabitants in the state.
The bill prohibits gaming companies from granting loans, and also requires payment by debit or Pix. In other words, this would serve to prevent money laundering or credit card debt. A new tax of 17% on gross revenue would be charged to companies.
The proposal determines that the revenue will be divided between federal entities. The goal is to reduce resistance from members of parliament. Despite this, rapporteur Senator Irajá shared with allies that the evangelical bloc in the Senate remains adamant and will vote against the text.
The senator’s allies estimate that the bill has the 41 votes needed for approval, but they only want to put it on the agenda once they have consolidated 50 votes in support of the text. They want a margin of safety against possible last-minute changes.
