Legalisation of gambling in Brazil is the focus of the Senate in the second half of 2025

The text modifies the law on criminal offences, which currently establishes penalties for these activities. The initiative aims to bring a sector that already operates informally in the country into the legal sphere.

The bill provides for the creation of a supervision and inspection system to ensure security and transparency in gaming and betting activities. The proposal also seeks to prevent crimes such as money laundering and terrorist financing.

If approved, the Ministry of Finance will be responsible for defining the rules for licensing, inspection, and authorisation of gaming operations.

Among the expected impacts are increased tourism, job creation, and the promotion of regional economic development. The regulation may also stimulate investment in tourism infrastructure, such as hotels and event centres.

‘By legalising it, we will actually be bringing to light an activity that operates in the shadows of the law, but with government control and oversight by regulatory agencies, where the Brazilian population will be able to collect taxes that will go to the states and municipalities,’ says one of the proposal's supporters.

Proponents argue that the measure will bring significant economic benefits. “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 industry,” says the rapporteur for the proposal, Senator Irajá Silvestre (PSD/TO).

Despite the arguments presented by advocates, the regulation of gambling faces resistance in Congress. Several senators are against legalisation, pointing to social risks such as increased household debt and the encouragement of gambling addiction.

“It's a case that pushes people to the brink, and Brazilians can't take any more debt because of gambling. If betting houses take up to 49-year-olds, bingo and casinos take the rest, from 49 to old age, the elderly. So we cannot allow this. We have to protect this social fabric, and with God's grace, we will win this battle together with the population, who are politely and respectfully demanding that their senators vote against this.", says Senator Eduardo Girão (NOVO-CE).