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Brazil’s Finance Minister Fernando Haddad has called on lawmakers to stop delaying legislation for land-based casinos and bingo halls, saying the country is losing opportunities by focusing only on online betting.
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In a recent TV interview, Haddad criticized Congress for what he described as an “inversion of priorities.” He pointed out that online gambling was legalized and regulated earlier this year, yet brick-and-mortar casinos remain stalled in the Senate.
“I even find it strange that virtual gaming was approved but not land-based gaming. The masses don’t enter casinos. The focus is more on tourism, in specific locations, with different attractions,” Haddad said.
For the minister, casinos represent more than gambling—they are an economic driver. He argued they could support job creation, expand Brazil’s tourism industry, and build on the record-breaking number of international visitors the country recently received.
At the same time, Haddad contrasted the limited appeal of casinos with the booming online sector. “It generates jobs, tourism flows, something Brazil has great potential for and has just broken a record in visitors,” he added, underscoring the missed potential if casinos remain blocked.
Brazil’s online betting market has exploded since the new regulatory framework took effect in January 2025. In just six months, more than 17.7 million Brazilians placed wagers, generating BR17.4 billion ($3.22 billion) in gross gaming revenue for licensed operators. Tax revenue from this sector has already been earmarked for healthcare, which Haddad explained was necessary given the mass-market nature of online play.