New Brazilian Gambling Framework Delayed Once Again

Brazilian Senate wants further clarification on new gambling bill.

Although it looked like Brazil’s new gambling legislation would be approved this year, it seems the country’s betting stakeholder will have to wait a bit longer. According to available information, Brazil’s Senate has halted the further progress of the new federal gambling framework.

The Constitutionality and Justice Committee (CCJ) was about to approve Bill 186 last week, but the decision was delayed by state senators who wanted further clarification of the bill, especially regarding the proposed tax levies.

More Time to Review New Provisions

They even went a step further by suggesting new provisions, demanding that all gambling operators should require a local partnership, with a 30% tax on gambling services.

Due to new circumstances, CCJ judges have delayed their decision on Bill 186, stating the committee needs to review the impact the new provisions will have at a state level. But that’s not all. According to news sources, the committee is seriously considering the idea of restricting certain gambling services used outside of casino properties such as slots.

The CCJ has 27 members, and in order to gain the committee’s approval, Bill 186 will require 14 votes. This may pose a serious challenge, especially since 12 judges on the committee have already explicitly stated they will not give their support to the bill, at least not in its current form.

Further Delay

This is not good news for the country’s pro betting lobby, and the further delay to bill’s progress will thwart their efforts in implementing a new legal framework for gambling before the year ends.

It looked like the outcome would be different, especially since the proposed framework had received the support of the President Michel Temer’s administration, which sought to raise funds for various national initiatives.

Two years were spent in reviewing Bill 186 provisions, and at this time it’s hard to say when will this piece of legislation finally receive the approval. One thing is certain: Brazilian gambling needs to adapt to current consumer and business context, and its modernization is the only way to achieve that goal.