Brazilian Majority in Support of Land-Based Casinos 

A new national survey conducted by DataSenado, a research arm of Brazil’s Federal Senate, reveals that 60% of the adult population supports the legalisation and regulation of land-based gambling in the country, signalling potential momentum for long-debated legislation currently under Senate consideration.

Released on Tuesday, 22 April, the survey comes amid ongoing discussion around PL 2,234/2022, a bill that would legalise land-based casinos, bingo halls, jogo do bicho (a traditional numbers game), and betting on horse racing. The bill passed the Senate's Justice and Citizenship Committee in June 2023 and is awaiting a full Senate vote.
Public Sentiment Signals Shift in Attitudes

Conducted between 21 February and 1 March through computer-assisted telephone interviews, the survey sampled 5,039 Brazilians aged 16 and over. Of those polled, 60% voiced support for the legalisation of land-based gambling, with 34% opposed and 6% undecided or unwilling to answer.

The results reflect a significant shift in public sentiment, strengthening the position of the bill’s rapporteur, Senator Irajá Abreu, who recently expressed confidence that the proposal now has sufficient backing to advance in the Senate.

Economic Arguments Driving Political Will

Economic considerations are a key driver of political and public support. Legalisation of land-based gambling could inject up to BRL20 billion (approximately $3.5 billion) into Brazil’s economy annually through taxes and tourism. When asked about the impact of legalisation on tax revenue, 58% of survey respondents agreed it would lead to increased tax collection, while 22% believed it would have no effect.

Moreover, 44% of Brazilians surveyed believe that a legal gambling industry would boost employment. Major international players, including Hard Rock International, have already expressed interest in the market. The company’s senior vice president of casino and hotel operations, Alex Pariente, has spoken publicly about the potential for large-scale integrated resorts to stimulate the tourism sector and create jobs.

The survey also suggests that formalising the gambling sector could help mitigate existing issues related to illegal betting. Despite its current illegality, land-based gambling is widely acknowledged to be prevalent in Brazil, with only 25% of respondents believing the ban is effective in curbing the activity. In terms of safeguards, 65% of Brazilians said it was “very important” to implement rules to combat gambling-related crimes such as money laundering, and 17% said such rules were at least “important.” Additionally, 62% approved of casino machine oversight to ensure transparency and fair play.

Support also emerged for other harm-reduction measures: 54% of respondents viewed a confidential national registry for individuals with gambling addictions as a positive step, and 52% emphasized the need for rules preventing gambling-related debt.

Despite growing public and political support, the proposed legislation has not been without its detractors. Brazil’s federal police have expressed concerns over potential increases in money laundering, an issue flagged by CNN Brazil. These concerns highlight the need for robust regulatory frameworks should the bill move forward.

We are very keen on presenting an integrated resort as a bigger impact on the economy, because of the magnitude of the investment.

Looking Ahead

While legal online betting has been active in Brazil since January 2025, the debate over land-based gambling continues to unfold in the legislative arena. With the DataSenado survey indicating broad public support and economic arguments gaining traction, the Senate’s upcoming decisions on PL 2,234/2022 may mark a pivotal moment in Brazil’s gambling policy.

The bill’s final outcome could determine not only the future of a multibillion-dollar industry but also how Brazil balances economic development with regulatory oversight and social responsibility.