Brazil: Vote on casino bill postponed until “public opinion improves”

The rapporteur of the bill to regulate casinos and gambling (PL 2.234/22) in Brazil, Senator Irajá Silvestre (PSD-TO), said on Friday at an event in São Paulo that the Senate vote on the bill is postponed until the political environment is more favorable.

As reported by the portal Veja, the legislator stressed the need to change public opinion on the issue and expects the bill to be approved this year. The proposal aims to legalize casinos, bingos, and gambling.

During his participation in a meeting with businessmen from the LIDE group, Irajá commented on his frequent conversations with the President of the Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco (PSD-MG), and said that there is optimism the bill will be approved.

“I have been talking to Senator Rodrigo Pacheco almost daily. We are waiting for things to cool down a bit, but I am convinced that this year we will pass the bill. We already have the necessary votes, we have convinced the senators, at least the majority,” the rapporteur expressed.

Irajá Silvestre

When talking about waiting for things to ‘cool down a bit’, it is most likely that the parliamentarian is referring to the criticism that the online betting and gambling sector has been facing in the last few weeks.

The proposal to legalize casinos met resistance in the Constitution and Justice Commission (CCJ), where it was approved in June with a narrow vote: 14 votes in favor and 12 against. According to Irajá, much of this resistance is ‘ideological’ and is related to evangelical groups that oppose the legalization of gambling.

The senator also affirmed that the gambling and casino sector needs a change in public opinion perception, just like other segments in the past, such as agribusiness. “I am convinced that what does not kill strengthens. And the sector will come out much stronger from this phase we are facing in terms of public opinion,” he stated.

Irajá also stressed to the businessmen present that his role as rapporteur of the bill was not by chance and that approval should be on the agenda soon: “I did not fall into the role of rapporteur of the bill just because, and I have every confidence that we will approve it this year.”