Gambling is an exciting topic in Brazil, with the G1 Portal recently reaching out to 513 lawmakers to know their opinion on 18 subjects for possible legislative discussion, including the regulation of online live casinos.
Nearly 30 reporters conducted the research from December 1 to March 24. Some legislators responded by phone or in person, while others answered through email, messaging apps, or their aides. All the participants were told that the answers would remain confidential.
A questionnaire was sent to all deputies, and 332, representing 65% of the new chamber, chose to reply. The report reveals that PT and PSDB had the highest response rates at 85%, while PSD followed closely at 71%. Uniao and PL had a 49% response rate, with 44% of lawmakers from Republicanos choosing to respond to the study.
According to the research, 38% of all interviewed deputies favored the regulation of online casino games and sports betting in the country. The report also shows that 24% of the respondents didn’t favor gambling regulation, with 3% of the deputies refusing to answer this question. In addition, 35% of the deputies did not respond to the questionnaire.
Recently, the gambling industry has exploded worldwide, with many countries opting to regulate the activity instead of banning it altogether. The sector can be a great source of employment, income, and economic stimulation if rightly done. Gambling is even a significant tourist attraction in some major cities, like Macau, Las Vegas, and Monaco.
But interestingly, Brazil is yet to fully launch the market, with players opting to play on offshore gambling sites. The Brazilian government has a potential to benefit through legal gambling, which could bring significant money to fund services like health, education, and social projects.
