Preliminary version of draft Gaming Law presented in Brazil

The manuscript was presented by deputy Felipe Carreras.
The manuscript was presented by deputy Felipe Carreras.

The bill proposes the authorisation of casinos, bingo halls, Jogo do Bicho and sports betting.

Brazil.- An initial draft of proposed gaming legislation has been presented in Brazil. The Working Group reviewing PL 442/91 has presented the draft bill and is discussing the structure, organisation, guidelines and main rules of the regulatory framework for gambling and betting. The manuscript was presented by deputy Felipe Carreras.

The draft does not necessarily represent the final opinion of the Working Group and is subject to further amendments. Its objective is limited to providing an initial base text for discussion with other parliamentarians with a view to the preparation of the working group’s final report, which will be presented to the president of the Chamber of Deputies, Arthur Lira.

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The proposals

The document lists, in art. 8, the games and types of authorised bets: casinos, bingo halls, Jogos do Bicho, bets with fixed odds, tourist bets and games of skill.

The draft does not define the casino models to be implemented in Brazil or whether they will only be allowed in integrated resorts. However, it is understood that urban casino-type establishments will be allowed, since the only paragraph of art. 8 defines that “the practice and exploration of games and bets may be carried out in physical or virtual establishments, after obtaining, by the interested party, acts of consent from the Public Authority, in the terms of this law”.

The tourist entities, through the draft, will be able to explore their own tourist bets and casino and bingo games.

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The document also defines the creation of the National Gaming and Betting System (SINAJ), made up of a federal regulatory body, gambling and betting operators, tourist entities, and gambling and betting agents, as well as auditing companies and self-regulatory entities.

To operate in Brazil, a company must have its headquarters and administration in the country and will be subject to rules that will be defined by the federal regulatory and supervisory body, which will establish the criteria for granting the operating license.

The rules for each type of game have not yet been established. According to the draft, they are being drawn up or revised now, along with licence fees, taxes and the division of resources between the Union, the States and the Federal District.