A general introduction to gambling law in Brazil

Gambling is illegal in Brazil, but poker is not. The government is considering introducing gambling regulation to raise revenues. The only legal gambling activities in the country are lotteries under the state monopoly and horse-race wagering. After the covid-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Economy is focused on providing financial assistance to other governmental entities and directly to citizens. In December 2018, Law 13,756 created the fixed-odds sports betting lottery method. It was expected that it would be enacted in 2020, however, after the pandemics, it will probably be lower in financial and technical requirements to attract more bidders.

Clóvis Beviláqua defines a game contract as a random contract in which two or more people promise a certain sum to the person for whom the result of chance is most favourable. Pablo Stolze Gagliano and Rodolfo Pamplona Filho provide a detailed explanation on game contracts.

The contract game is a legal transaction in which two or more people hold a promise in favour of the person who achieves a favourable result.

A general introduction to gambling law in Brazil explains the rules.

A general introduction to gambling law in Brazil explains the bet contract. It is a legal transaction in which two or more people with different opinions on a certain event promise to perform a particular action to the benefit of the party whose opinion prevails.

A general introduction to gambling law in Brazil. Games of chance are defined by Article 50 of Decree-Law 3,688/1941.

Bets on horse races outside the racetrack or other authorised venues and on any other sport competition.

Gambling is illegal in Brazil. The last casino permits were cancelled in 1946. Lotteries are illegal. Horse-race betting is regulated. Contest regulation is subject to federal jurisdiction in the country. The Brazilian numbers game jogo do bicho (the animal game) is also prohibited. In Brazil, whenever a contest is held to promote the sale of products or to promotes brands, it is deemed as a prize promotion. It is equal legal treatment in all of the 26 states and the Federal District. There is a similar law for the distribution of foreign lottery tickets.

A private house where games of chance are held, when the guests are not members of the family that live there. A hotel or collective residence where guests or residents are offered games. The headquarters or premises of a company or association where the games are organized.

Only the states that had their own lotteries running when Decree-Law No. 204 of 27 February 1967 was enacted are authorised to run their lottersies. The federal government is in the process of organising the public bid for privatisation of lottery (sweepstakes) in Brazil. In 2007, the Brazilian Supreme Court ruled that states and municipalities can't legislate on gambling. Offshore gambling is legal in Brazilian law. The law allows offshore operators to offer their gambling products to Brazilian citizens. It also allows them to contract suppliers by means of public procurement.

According to the Misdemeanour Law, games of chance are prohibited in Brazil. Caixa has monopoly on lotteries and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply is responsible for the regulation of horse racing. The free distribution of prizes is regulated by the Minister of Economy. Remote and land-based gambling is restricted. The Supreme Court of Brazil will rule on the case in April 2021. It will be binding to all similar cases in the country. Poker, recognised as a sport by former Ministry, is not regulated. Neither are social games nor any other games.