Legislation pertaining to casinos in Brazil has been put on hold once more after Senate leaders decided to postpone a bill that was approved by the National Congress's lower house and would have allowed resorts to provide slot machines, table games, and other types of gambling.

SBC News  "With only a minimal quorum to consider legislation, leaders in the Federal Senate decided to fold on Bill No. 2234," according to Brazil, a media organization that focuses on gaming developments in the largest country in South America.  In June 2024, the Chamber of Deputies enacted the legislation by a vote of 260–238. Since then, it has been sitting in the National Congress Palace.

"Yesterday and today, given today’s quorum — 56 out of 81 senators — we have eight or nine senators who are outside Brazil on special mandates, and I spoke with all of them. They requested that the presidency postpone the deliberation as they would like to be present on the day this matter is voted on,” said Senate President Davi Alcumbre, as reported by SBC News Brazil’s Ana Maria Menezes.

“We have senators abroad who have clearly stated they support this bill, and we also have senators abroad who are against it,” the Senate boss added.

Casinos Postponed Once More

With 212 million citizens, Brazil is the seventh most populous country in the world. For many years, there have been discussions about liberalizing casinos, bingo, parimutuel betting, and lottery-style games like Jogo de Bicho.  Several of the largest international casino companies, most notably Las Vegas Sands, have been closely monitoring the ongoing legislative debate in Brasilia.

Proponents claim that casinos will boost Brazil's travel industry and draw large conventions, similar to what Sands did in Singapore and Las Vegas.  Supporters claim that the multibillion-dollar integrated resorts and casino developments would boost the national economy by bringing in new capital, creating jobs, and raising taxes at the municipal and federal levels.

During a 2017 trip to Sao Paulo, Sands' founder, longtime chair, and CEO, the late Sheldon Adelson, expressed interest in building "one or more integrated resorts" in Brazil.  The National Congress has yet to make a decision regarding the liberalization of casinos after eight years.

Many lawmakers claim that because Brazil is a very devout nation, their constituents are not interested in slot machines or table games.  Brazil's 2024 adoption of online casino and sports betting, according to conservatives, has been a complete failure.

"Making a mistake once is understandable. Making a mistake twice is not,” said Sen. Eduardo Girão (New Party- Ceará).

To provide a safe, regulated environment for the numerous gamblers who were using illegal, underground gambling dens and bookies run by gangs and other criminal groups, the National Congress passed the iGaming and online sports wagering statute.

Other South American nations that offer casino gaming or legal gambling establishments include Uruguay, Paraguay, Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Peru. 

Unknown Future

In 1990, Brazilian politicians initially proposed a measure for a land-based casino.  It's unclear when or if casinos will open in the South American nation given this week's hiatus.

The size of new international gaming marketplaces is still declining.  Brazil's 2025 withdrawal comes after Thai lawmakers also abandoned their casino bill.

Similar to Brazil, Thailand was expected to draw significant interest from numerous well-known gaming companies.