Legislation

Haddad defends progress on the casino and bingo regulation in Brazil

Tuesday 02 de September 2025 / 12:00

⏱ 1 min read

(Brasilia).- Finance Minister Fernando Haddad defended the regulation of land-based casinos and bingo halls during an interview on the Canal Livre program, citing the legalization of online betting as a positive example. According to him, Congress approving digital platforms before in-person modalities represents a "reversal of priorities".

Haddad defends progress on the casino and bingo regulation in Brazil

Haddad argued that opening casinos would not be a "mass game," but rather a strategic economic activity aimed mainly at tourist centers. With clear rules in place, he said, the potential for job creation and attracting visitors would increase, while also ensuring a more restricted and controlled environment.

The minister also pointed out that the federal government has already identified 30 million individual taxpayers (CPFs) registered on regulated betting platforms. The widespread nature of online gambling, he noted, prompted the government to allocate tax revenue from betting directly to public health funding.

During the debate, Haddad criticized the hypocrisy of keeping games like Jogo do Bicho illegal, since without regulation they end up financing organized crime. For him, legalizing such activities would mean greater state revenue and formal employment opportunities. Currently, the bill to regulate casinos and bingo halls remains at a standstill in Congress, following the Senate's postponement of the vote in July.

Online betting market on the rise

The newly regulated online betting sector showed strong growth in the first half of 2025. More than 17.7 million Brazilians placed bets, generating R$ 17.4 billion in revenue for betting operators. The new legislation, which established legal certainty and clear rules, has been highlighted as the main driver of this growth. It has helped consolidate online betting as one of the leading forms of digital entertainment in the country.

Categoría:Legislation

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País: Brazil

Región: South America