Brazil: Haddad Pushes for Casino and Bingo Regulation
Brazil.– September 2, 2025 – www.zonadeazar.com Finance Minister Fernando Haddad defended the need to move forward with the regulation of casinos and bingo halls in Brazil, following the consolidation of the online sports betting framework. This debate opens a new chapter in the country’s legal gaming agenda.
Overview
Brazil’s gaming industry is undergoing a historic transition. After implementing clear rules for the sports betting sector, the government now seeks to expand regulation to casinos and bingos, activities that have remained in legal limbo for decades.
Minister Haddad emphasized that the country cannot limit regulation to sports betting alone, given the economic and social impact of other gaming segments. The proposal is to integrate casinos and bingo halls into a regulated ecosystem with transparency, taxation, and responsible gaming measures.
Context details
The recent agreement on online “bets” was the first concrete step toward modernizing the market. The Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA) has already issued the first licenses to operators, raising expectations of revenues exceeding BRL 12 billion in the coming years.
According to Haddad, this progress highlights the need for the next step: casinos and bingos. Both sectors currently operate in the shadows, without specific regulation, encouraging informal practices and leading to lost tax revenues.
Economic impact
- Tax revenues: legalization could generate more than BRL 20 billion in taxes.
- Tourism and jobs: integrated resorts, already adopted in countries like Mexico or the U.S., would attract international tourism and create thousands of jobs.
- Regional development: states with strong tourism potential, such as Rio de Janeiro, Bahia, and Ceará, would benefit most.
Social and institutional impact
- Responsible gaming: similar tools to those in sports betting would be required, including self-exclusion programs and behavioral monitoring.
- Transparency: a unified legal framework would reduce the incidence of illegal operations.
- International credibility: Brazil would align with regulatory standards of established markets.
Future outlook
The parliamentary debate will be intense. Supportive blocs see legalization as an economic opportunity, while conservative sectors maintain moral and social objections. Haddad, however, stressed that regulation cannot be postponed: “If Brazil does not regulate, others will continue to operate illegally, with no return to society.”
Congress is expected to receive in the coming months a bill contemplating the opening of resort casinos and licensed bingo halls. If approved, Brazil will take a historic leap toward a comprehensive gaming model where the State collects revenue, the private sector invests, and consumers enjoy greater security.
Zona de Azar, the key source for global iGaming news.
Editó: @_fonta www.zonadeazar.com