Brazil's Gambling History
Betting in Brazil has a long and interesting history, marked by plenty of changes and growth, especially in recent years.
Betting has been a part of Brazilian culture for centuries. It’s a vibrant and ever-changing scene that has kept pace with new sports trends, making it a popular form of entertainment.
To get a clear picture of how the sports betting market has evolved in Brazil, it’s helpful to look at its history over time and see how it’s impacted betting and gambling laws.
Colonial Period - 1920
Historians say Europeans brought betting to Brazil in the 16th century, introducing card games, dice, and other fun activities.
By the 18th century, the first betting houses and horse racing became popular, especially among the wealthy.
As gambling grew, Baron João Batista Viana Drummond created the famous “Jogo do Bicho” in 1892 to raise money for the zoo he managed. Visitors bought a ticket and got a card with one of 25 animals. At the end of the day, if your card matched the drawn animal, you won a cash prize. This game spread quickly across Rio de Janeiro and eventually all over Brazil, and it’s still around today, even though it’s illegal.
In 1917, the government launched the first national lottery, the “Federal Lottery,” which became a massive hit. But later that year, President Venceslau Brás banned gambling and the creation of casinos and betting houses across the country. Despite this, gambling continued to thrive, just more out of sight.
1930 - 1945
In 1934, President Getúlio Vargas made betting and gambling legal in Brazil, kicking off the country’s “Golden Age” of casinos.
During this time, casinos were a big boost for tourism and the economy, creating thousands of jobs and drawing in visitors from all over the world.
Betting became a go-to form of entertainment, often paired with amazing shows like orchestras and fancy dinners that wowed the crowds.
Games like roulette, blackjack, baccarat, poker, and more were super popular among the Brazilian elite, who spent their nights in the grand casinos, especially in the Southeast.
Some of the biggest betting houses included Cassino Atlântico, Cassino Copacabana Palace, and Cassino da Urca in Rio de Janeiro, Monte Serrat in Santos, and Cassino Paulista in downtown São Paulo. Poços de Caldas even had 20 casinos, earning it the nickname “Brazilian Las Vegas.”
At the time, big names like Albert Einstein, Janis Joplin, Frank Sinatra, Orson Welles, and Walt Disney were drawn to Brazilian casinos. They enjoyed performances by artists like Carmen Miranda, Emilinha Borba, Dalva de Oliveira, and Grande Otelo.
April 30, 1946
This decree led to thousands of job losses and had a negative impact on the economy, as the government gave up a significant source of revenue.
Throughout the 60s and 90s, the government tried to legalize and regulate gambling and betting in Brazil, but those efforts didn’t succeed.
Today's betting landscape
The sports betting market in Brazil has been booming in recent years, becoming a major force in sponsoring football championships across the country.
According to the BNL Data portal, the sector is expected to generate R$12 billion in revenue in Brazil by 2023. The goal is for the formal regulation of this sector to directly boost its profits.
Currently, online betting houses operating in Brazil are based abroad, so placing bets and playing on foreign online platforms is allowed.
What makes these betting houses so popular is the chance to experience the excitement of a physical casino in a more sophisticated digital environment, thanks to the wide variety of games and betting options available.
For example, besides classic football, you can now bet on other sports and even on TV shows like reality competitions. There’s also a diverse range of classic games that keep getting better, offering something for everyone.
What does the law currently state?
On December 12, 2018, President Michel Temer signed Law No. 13,756, allowing betting houses to operate in Brazil. However, five years later, the project is still awaiting final approval and publication by the authorities.
At the same time, PL Nº 2234/2022, which aims to regulate games of chance and betting in Brazil, is also in progress. It was approved by the Chamber of Deputies last year and is now waiting for the Senate’s review.
The Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming (IBJR) is a big supporter of regulating the betting sector, believing it will bring significant benefits to businesses and society.
Once all the processes are finalized, betting in Brazil could create new jobs and become a substantial source of income for many.
Additionally, regularization would help reduce corruption, ensuring safer and more reliable entertainment for Brazilians.
