Key Points
Contents
- On April 30, 1946, President Eurico Gaspar Dutra outlawed all casinos in Brazil—a move allegedly shaped by his devout wife and political opponents of former President Getúlio Vargas
- Approximately 70 casinos closed immediately without warning, displacing 40,000 employees who had no time to prepare for the sudden shutdown
- Sports wagering became legal in Brazil in 2018, followed by online casino authorization in late 2023, with tax collections reaching nearly BRL 10 billion ($2 billion) in 2025
- Proposed legislation aims to authorize integrated resort casinos, metropolitan gaming establishments, and bingo venues—potentially generating 700,000 employment opportunities and BRL 70 billion in economic activity
- While Brazil attracted 9.3 million international visitors in 2025, Las Vegas alone recorded 38.5 million tourists during the identical timeframe
Today marks eight decades since Brazilian President Eurico Gaspar Dutra enacted a sweeping prohibition that eliminated the nation’s entire casino industry. His decree, signed April 30, 1946, brought an abrupt conclusion to what historians describe as Brazil’s gambling renaissance.
The prohibition arrived via Decree-Law No. 9215. The document justified the ban by invoking moral principles, legal precedents, and religious values as grounds for eliminating gambling nationwide.
Historical accounts suggest Dutra faced considerable pressure from his spouse, Dona Carmela, a devoutly pious woman who earned the nickname “Dona Santinha” (Mrs. Holy). His Justice Minister, Carlos Luz, championed the prohibition while seeking the governorship of Minas Gerais—though his electoral bid ultimately failed.
Political calculation played a significant role as well. Dutra’s predecessor, Getúlio Vargas, frequently patronized casinos. Reports indicated Vargas’s sibling, Benjamim, controlled multiple Rio de Janeiro gaming establishments through a proxy named Joaquim Rolla.
An Immediate Shutdown With No Warning
The presidential order included zero grace period. It became enforceable upon publication, blindsiding casino proprietors, staff members, and entertainment professionals alike.
Brazil operated approximately 70 gaming establishments at that moment, providing employment to roughly 40,000 individuals. Every single position vanished within hours.
The Lambari Casino in Minas Gerais had celebrated its grand opening merely 24 hours earlier. Property investors received no reimbursement whatsoever.
At 11 p.m. during that closing evening, the Copacabana Palace Casino director in Rio de Janeiro declared the final roulette spin. The sphere settled on black 31.
Afternoon newspapers disappeared from newsstands immediately. The publication Resistência featured stories advocating for the thousands of laborers abruptly stripped of their livelihoods.
Among Brazil’s most celebrated gaming venues were the Cassino da Urca, celebrated for nurturing numerous Brazilian performers, and the Copacabana Palace, where elite society assembled for wagering, fine cuisine, and world-class entertainment.
Years of Foregone Income and Gradual Reopening
Following the prohibition, Brazil maintained virtually no authorized gambling for almost five decades. The Zico Law of 1994 permitted bingo establishments, which functioned until 2007. During peak operations, close to one thousand bingo venues operated throughout the nation.
Under President Michel Temer’s administration in 2018, Brazil authorized sports wagering. Final regulatory frameworks weren’t completed until late 2023, when digital casino gaming also received approval. Licensed operations commenced in early 2025.
Brazilian authorities collected approximately BRL 10 billion—roughly $2 billion—from gambling taxation in 2025. Yet the sector continues confronting resistance from evangelical communities and traditionalist constituencies.
President Lula has denounced betting facilities as component of his campaign approach targeting evangelical voter demographics.
Concurrently, legislation introduced by Senator Irajá to authorize integrated resort casinos, urban gaming centers, bingo parlors, and animal-themed lotteries has cleared the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate Constitutional and Justice Committee. The measure awaits consideration by the complete Senate.
Senator Angelo Coronel has projected that comprehensive gambling authorization could inject BRL 70 billion into the national economy while establishing 700,000 direct employment positions.
Brazil received approximately 9.3 million international tourists throughout 2025. By contrast, Las Vegas independently attracted 38.5 million visitors across the same twelve-month span.
