Co-founder of prediction market platform Kalshi, Luana Lopes Lara, announced that the company is looking for possible expansion opportunities into Brazil in 2026.Lopes...
Brazil’s gambling legalization bill to return to the Senate’s agenda
A bill to legalize gambling in Brazil is expected to return to the Senate’s legislative agenda in the 2nd half of the year, restarting the national debate.
The bill seeks to formally authorize and regulate casinos, bingo halls, horse race betting, jogo do bicho, and online gambling platforms, to overturn Brazil’s prohibtion on gambling which was in place since 1946. The bill will also amend the Misdemeanor Penal Code, removing criminal penalties currently tied to gambling-related activities.
The regulation also aims to create a comprehensive system of regulation and oversight, spark regional economic development, boost tourism, create jobs, and pave the way for investments in tourism infrastructure, such as hotels and convention centers.
Senator Irajá (PSD-TO), Bill’s Rapporteur, addressed the potential benefits:
“By legalizing, we will, in fact, be giving light to an activity that operates in the shadow of the law, but with the control of the public power, with the supervision of the control bodies, where the Brazilian population will be able to collect taxes that will be transferred to the states and municipalities.
Millions of jobs will be created, and billions of reais will be invested in the construction of these large tourist complexes. And of course, all of this will boost the national tourism sector.”
If enacted, the Ministry of Finance would take charge of establishing rules for licensing, inspection, and authorization of gambling operators.The bill also includes mechanisms for addressing gambling-related disorders through public policies focused on prevention and treatment.
Both the Brazilian government and the opposition have agreed to postpone voting on the Antifaction Bill, which includes a 15% tax on gambling deposits, until 2026.The tax...
