Brazils lower legislative body, the Chamber of Deputies, has approved legislation to regulate online sports wagering and internet-based gaming.
Referred to as the “gambling framework,” the legislation successfully navigated this legislative stage before the year’s conclusion, paving the way for a regulated online gambling sector to potentially launch in 2024, subject to presidential consent.
This follows a period of deliberation. The bill initially passed in September but encountered an obstacle when the Senate, Brazil’s upper legislative body, returned it to the Chamber of Deputies this week with modifications. The Senate sought to remove online gaming from the bill, but the Chamber of Deputies ultimately reversed that decision.
Following months of discussions, the final iteration encompasses provisions for taxing both businesses and players, along with regulations determining which operators can secure licenses. Companies will retain the majority of their earnings – 88% – while the remaining 12% will be distributed to various public sectors such as education, law enforcement, and athletics.
Naturally, not everyone is enthusiastic about this development. The bill has its detractors, with Congressman Eli Borges contending that regulating gambling will unleash unintended negative consequences, particularly for young individuals.
Nevertheless, Arthur Lira, the Speaker of the House, countered by highlighting that unregulated platforms are already operating clandestinely, and it’s preferable to bring them under the purview of regulation. He asserted that people are already engaging in gambling, teams are already receiving sponsorships, and this legislation won’t alter that – it will merely grant the government greater oversight.
Representative Adolfo Viana is strongly advocating for this proposed legislation. He’s spearheading the effort to bring these internet gaming platforms under regulatory control and subject them to taxation. His message is unambiguous – without the passage of this measure, these websites will persist in operating clandestinely. And that’s an undesirable outcome for everyone.