Brazil’s Senate has placed a bill to legalise land-based casinos on the agenda for a vote on 8 July. If senators pass it, the bill will go to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for approval; Senator Eduardo Girão opposes the measure, citing concerns about money laundering.
A Senate vote could move the proposed land-based casino framework to Brazil’s president for a decision.
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Brazil's Supreme Court has suspended its judgment in a case on the prohibition of land-based casino gambling. The court is expected to decide whether casino gambling and bingo are still criminal offences.
Five Brazilian gaming figures said that land-based casino legalisation faces a difficult political path in an election year, even as the regulated online market has performed strongly. The bill has passed the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate's Constitutional and Justice Committee, but failed to pass urgency in the Senate plenary in December 2025.
Brazilian Senator Irajá said he is seeking support to place a bill regulating land-based gambling on the Senate agenda before the recess begins on 18 July. The proposal would allow casinos and bingo halls, legalise jogo do bicho and permit horse-race betting; it would require presidential approval to take effect.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice João Otávio de Noronha argued in an interview during the Lisbon Forum that Brazil should consider legalising land-based casinos. He said the current ban sends gambling revenue and jobs overseas, while distinguishing traditional casinos from online betting.
Brazil’s Congress is considering Provisional Measure 1.394/2026, which suspends the country’s authorised fixed-odds betting framework and prohibits online betting and casino operations. The measure gained urgency status on 9 November, but the examining committee has not been established; the initial deliberation period ends on 23 November. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has defended the ban, arguing that it redirects household spending towards everyday goods.
Brazil’s Congress is reviewing a measure to end online gambling, following President Lula da Silva’s suspension of the Bet Law. The bill is already in force and has attracted 99 proposed amendments. The measure became an urgent item on 9 November, though the mixed congressional committee examining it has not yet been established.