Brazil sports betting/iGaming vote postponed again

[The Buzz]

The decisive vote to approve the launch of Brazil's federal sports betting marketplace that was scheduled to take place on Wednesday has been delayed again.

The Federal Senate's plenary session, initially set for 21 November and then postponed again yesterday, was to decide on Bill 3,626/23. However, last-minute discussions revealed a split among senators regarding the inclusion of online casino games in the bill.

Negotiations reportedly reached the 11th hour, with opposition senators arguing that the bill lacks a sufficient framework to regulate online casino activities. In response to these concerns, senators against online casino provisions requested Senator Veneziano Vital do Rêgo, the Vice President of the Senate, to postpone the vote.

From Brazil's Senate Agency:

The senator read his favorable opinion during the session and stated that several types of online gaming already operate in Brazil clandestinely.

— We are not creating any game modality. PL 3,626/2023, initiated by the Executive Branch, regulates fixed bet games, legal in Brazil since Law 13,756, of December 12, 2018. Currently, so-called bets, despite being legal, as they are not regulated, are not collecting taxes in Brazil — said Angelo Coronel.

According to him, only Brazil, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia have not yet regulated online betting. Coronel's position was supported by Jorge Kajuru (PSB-GO).

— I want to have the right to collect taxes from those who evade today with betting shops. Deep down, there are people who want the Lula government not to have this collection, which is fair. It's not being against the Lula government, it's being against Brazil — said Kajuru.

For senator Omar Aziz (PSD-AM), however, the proposal could pave the way for the uncontrolled operation of betting shops:

— We are voting for an online casino. It's not just a football game, no. There will be a machine, black jack, roulette. There will be every type of game available in a casino. We are voting for an online casino, without supervision. They will pay tax, the government will collect it and the bettor will lose out — she said.

Also against the proposal, Eduardo Girão (Novo-CE) pointed out that the measure could lead more people to become addicted to games.

— I come from football, I also have concerns about sport, because I see that it is not even the manipulation that everyone has seen that is happening because of sports betting, but it is subverting sport. The essence of sport is to unite, to entertain, to have a healthy life. And absolutely, that is pushing people into addiction; It’s the opposite,” he criticized.

Read more here: https://www12.senado.leg.br/noticias...postas-on-line

[The Buzz]

The vote has been postponed again (Dec. 12):

https://igamingbusiness.com/sports-b...il-12-december

[BayaniNavarro1]

"Currently, so-called bets, despite being legal, as they are not regulated, are not collecting taxes in Brazil — said Angelo Coronel." - what really confuses the authorities. Not the safety of the players..