Brazil has recently taken a big step towards legalizing various forms of gambling, including casinos, bingo, jogo de bicho, and horserace betting. The bill, known as PL 2,234/2022, was approved by the Justice and Citizenship Commission (CCJ) with 14 votes in favor and 12 against on June 19. This bill will now move to the Senate plenary for further voting after being approved by Brazil’s chamber of deputies.
During the CCJ meeting, Senator Irajá emphasized the benefits of regulating gambling in Brazil. He mentioned that this move could create jobs, increase income, and boost tax revenues, which could be used to support essential sectors like health, education, and infrastructure.
The bill introduces specific regulations for different forms of gambling and also establishes two new taxes: the Gaming and Betting Inspection Fee (Tafija) and the Economic Intervention Contribution on game and betting marketing (Cide-Jogos). Casinos would need to pay a quarterly fee, with varying amounts for different types of establishments. The Cide-Jogos tax rate would be set at 17% of gross revenue, with additional income tax on prizes over R$10,000.
If the bill becomes law, casinos would be allowed in tourist centers, resorts, hotels, and even on boats and ships meeting specific criteria. Each state and the Federal District could have one casino, with certain states permitted to have more. The bill also covers the legalization of bingo in different formats and introduces regulations for horserace betting.
To protect bettors, the bill proposes a self-exclusion program and outlines measures to promote honest conduct in gambling and prevent compulsive behavior. There are also new criminal penalties for illegal gambling activities, including prison time for involvement in unlicensed games or tampering with results.
Federal Supreme Court Minister Flávio Dino mentioned that the Supreme Court might need to review the constitutionality of the bill due to its potential impact on organized crime. The bill aims to attract investments, create jobs, and generate revenue for Brazil.
Since the approval of sports betting and iGaming in December, Brazil has been working towards establishing a regulated gaming industry. The Ministry of Finance is currently developing regulatory policies for sports betting and iGaming, expected to be fully legal by the end of July.
Overall, the legalization of casinos and bingos in Brazil could have a significant impact on the country’s economy and provide new opportunities for job creation and revenue generation. The move towards regulating the gambling industry reflects Brazil’s efforts to keep up with global trends and harness the potential benefits of this sector.
