Bill No. 2,234/2022, which authorizes and regulates gambling, betting, and integrated resorts within national territory, remains under discussion in the Federal Senate. To support the analysis of Bill No. 2,234/2022, the DataSenado Institute conducted a national survey, requested by Senator Irajá (PSD/TO), interviewing over 5,000 Brazilians between February 21 and March 1, 2025.
The study reveals that 60% of the population —around 102 million people— are in favor of approving Bill 2,234/2022, while 34% are opposed, and the rest have no formed opinion.
According to the survey, more than a quarter of the population would participate in legalized gambling, and three out of four Brazilians believe that the current prohibition of gambling and casinos is ineffective in combating illegality.
Key findings from the survey include:
- 60% of Brazilians support the legalization of gambling after learning about the bill's contents.
- 26% would participate in regulated activities such as casinos and bingo.
- 70% believe the current prohibition does not reduce the availability of illegal gambling.
- 58% believe legalization would increase tax revenue.
- 44% believe the sector would generate more jobs.
- 82% consider it very important to combat money laundering in the sector.
- 62% support the monitoring of slot machines.
- 54% approve of the confidential registration of individuals with gambling addiction.
- 77% consider it important to prevent gambling-related debt.
The study also evaluated the level of public awareness of the bill and the degree of agreement with some of its main provisions. It also helps estimate the potential audience for such games, should they be legalized.
The survey interviewed 5,039 Brazilians aged 16 and over in all states of the Federation between February 21 and March 1, 2025, using a stratified random sampling method representing a universe of 170.9 million people. The average margin of error was 1.72 percentage points, with 95% confidence.
More than a quarter of the population would participate in legalized gambling
It was possible to estimate the number of people interested in attending or participating in gambling activities—such as bingo halls, video bingo, casinos, and the jogo do bicho—if these were authorized and regulated.
This group, which would be most directly affected and benefited by the proposed legislation if passed, corresponds to more than a quarter (26% or 44,256,347 people) of the Brazilian population aged 16 and over, considering the combined interest in all three evaluated modalities, as individuals may be interested in more than one type.
Three out of four Brazilians believe the current prohibition of gambling and casinos is ineffective
When asked whether the prohibition of bingo halls, casinos, and the jogo do bicho effectively reduces the availability of these illegal games, only a quarter of the population (25% or 42,066,746 people) believe the ban significantly reduces their presence.
Meanwhile, 70% are split between:
-29% (49,420,969 people) who say the ban does “nothing” to reduce the offer,
-21% who say it reduces “a little”,
-and 20% who say it reduces it “moderately.”
Majority believes gambling and casinos will increase tax revenue
According to 58% (99,804,109 people) of Brazilians, legalizing gambling and casinos would increase tax revenue in Brazil. Another 22% believe it would make no difference, while only 9% think it could lead to a reduction in collected taxes.
Gambling and casinos could increase employment in the country
44% (75,822,521 people) of the population believe that legalizing gambling and allowing the establishment of casinos would increase employment in Brazil. Another 36% think it would make no difference, and 11% believe it could reduce employment.
Eight out of ten value rules against money laundering
More than eight in ten (82% or 139,682,540 people) Brazilians consider it “very important” (65%) or at least “important” (17%) to adopt rules to prevent gambling companies and casinos from being used for money laundering or financing organized crime. However, 3% of the population consider this “not very important”, and 12% consider it “not important at all.”
Majority supports ensuring the integrity of slot machines
A majority (62% or 105,869,236 people) of Brazilians view positively the bill's proposal to monitor games and slot machines in casinos to ensure they are honest and transparent in their rules. Another 24% think this would make no difference, and only 10% see the measure as negative.
Majority supports a national registry for gambling addicts
The majority (54% or 91,998,080 people) of the population considers “positive” the bill’s proposal to create a confidential national registry of people addicted to gambling, to prevent them from participating in or accessing such establishments. Nearly a third (29%) think the proposal would make no difference, and 13% consider it negative.
Three out of four consider it important to prevent gambling-related debt
More than three-quarters (77% or 131,331,141 people) of the population believe it is “very important” (52%) or at least “important” (25%) to adopt measures to prevent debt related to gambling. However, 5% consider such action “not very important,” and 16% say it is “not important at all.”
Source: GMB
