Brazil is edging closer to a major shift in its gambling legislation, with Minister of Tourism Celso Sabino expressing optimism about the approval and implementation of a law to legalize land-based casinos by the first half of 2025. The legislation aims to boost the country’s economy by increasing tourism and creating jobs while addressing longstanding debates on the social and economic impact of gambling.
Legislative Path to Approval
The proposed law, known as Projeto de Lei dos Jogos, includes provisions for land-based casinos, bingo halls, and integrated resorts. Having been approved by the Chamber of Deputies in 2022, the bill now awaits a vote in the Senate. Minister Sabino confirmed, “The bill regulating casinos has already been approved in the chamber of deputies and is in the Senate. We expect it to be approved and sanctioned by the president in the first half of 2025.”
Despite delays in 2024, including a withdrawal of the bill in December following Senate debates, Senate President Rodrigo Pacheco announced that the vote would occur in 2025. If passed, the first casino operations could begin as early as late 2025 or early 2026.
Economic Benefits and International Interest
The legalization of land-based casinos is projected to have significant economic benefits. According to the Ministry of Tourism, the initiative could attract millions of tourists annually, creating jobs and generating substantial government revenue. International gaming companies, including Hard Rock International, have shown keen interest in entering the Brazilian market.
Hard Rock’s Senior Vice President of Casino and Hotel Operations, Alex Pariente, highlighted the company’s readiness to collaborate with local entrepreneurs to ensure successful projects in Brazil. “We’re coming there just to build the perfect team that will ensure we’re going to have a successful property that will serve the purpose that both the government and the company are pursuing,” he explained.
The law proposes a 12% gross gambling revenue (GGR) tax for casinos, in line with Brazil’s approach to online betting, which launched in January 2025 with one of the world’s highest gambling tax rates.
Challenges and Opposition
The proposal has faced opposition from critics concerned about gambling’s social and economic impacts. Senator Eduardo Girão voiced strong reservations, pointing to the perceived harm caused by the online betting sector, saying, “We made a mistake, and the mistake is there: lives destroyed. We cannot take another step, make another mistake, which could cause more problems than solutions.”
Despite these concerns, proponents argue that regulation will mitigate risks and provide safer gambling environments by combating the black market.
If approved, the legislation will pave the way for the construction of large-scale casino resorts, including hotels, conference centers, and entertainment venues. This would position Brazil as a key player in the global gaming market, potentially rivaling established destinations such as Singapore and Las Vegas. The government remains confident that the initiative will align with global trends and strengthen Brazil’s position as an international tourism hotspot.
Source:
Brazil Anticipates Legalizing Land-Based Casinos by Mid-2025, lcb.org, January 28, 2025.