Key Points
- On April 30, 1946, President Eurico Gaspar Dutra enacted a nationwide casino prohibition in Brazil, a move allegedly shaped by his devout wife and opponents of former President Getúlio Vargas
- The immediate closure affected approximately 70 gambling establishments, resulting in 40,000 people losing employment without any adjustment period for operators or staff
- Sports wagering became legal in Brazil in 2018, followed by online casino authorization in late 2023, bringing in close to BRL 10 billion ($2 billion) in tax collections during 2025
- Current legislative proposals seek to authorize integrated resort casinos, city-based gaming venues, and bingo operations, with projections of 700,000 new positions and BRL 70 billion in economic activity
- While Brazil attracted 9.3 million international visitors in 2025, Las Vegas by itself hosted 38.5 million guests during the identical timeframe
Today marks eight decades since Brazilian President Eurico Gaspar Dutra issued an executive order that terminated casino operations throughout the nation. The action, executed on April 30, 1946, brought an abrupt end to what historians describe as Brazil’s gambling heyday.
The shutdown was implemented via Decree-Law No. 9215. The legislation invoked moral principles, legal precedents, and religious values as justification for prohibiting gambling nationwide.
Reports suggest Dutra received considerable influence from his spouse, Dona Carmela, a devout Catholic referred to as “Dona Santinha” or “Mrs. Holy.” His minister of justice, Carlos Luz, championed the prohibition as part of his political ambitions to secure the governorship of Minas Gerais. Ironically, Luz ultimately failed in that electoral bid.
The decision also carried political undertones. Dutra’s political forerunner, Getúlio Vargas, frequently patronized casino establishments. Vargas’s sibling, Benjamim, allegedly controlled multiple Rio de Janeiro casinos using a representative named Joaquim Rolla.
Instant Implementation Without Warning
The executive order provided zero grace period. Enforcement commenced immediately upon publication, leaving casino proprietors, staff members, and entertainers completely unprepared.
During that era, Brazil operated approximately 70 casino facilities with a combined workforce of roughly 40,000 individuals. Every single employee found themselves jobless within hours.
The Lambari Casino in Minas Gerais had celebrated its grand opening merely twenty-four hours before the prohibition. Investors received no financial restitution.
At 11 p.m. on that concluding evening, the manager of the Copacabana Palace Casino in Rio de Janeiro declared the final roulette spin. The outcome showed black 31.
Afternoon newspapers were depleted rapidly from newsstands. The publication Resistência published pieces advocating for the thousands of employees suddenly stripped of their incomes.
Brazil’s most renowned gambling houses included the Cassino da Urca, celebrated for nurturing numerous Brazilian performers, and the Copacabana Palace, where elite society congregated for gaming, fine dining, and world-class entertainment.
Half a Century of Foregone Income and Gradual Reemergence
Following the prohibition, Brazil maintained virtually no authorized gambling for nearly five decades. The Zico Law of 1994 permitted bingo establishments, which functioned until 2007. During their zenith, close to one thousand bingo parlors operated nationwide.
Under President Michel Temer in 2018, Brazil authorized sports wagering. Complete regulatory frameworks weren’t established until late 2023, simultaneously granting permission for online casino gaming. Licensed operations launched in early 2025.
Brazilian authorities collected approximately BRL 10 billion, equivalent to $2 billion, from gambling taxation in 2025. However, the sector continues encountering resistance from evangelical communities and traditionalist constituencies.
President Lula has denounced betting establishments as component of his reelection approach targeting evangelical voter demographics.
Concurrently, legislation proposed by Senator Irajá aims to authorize integrated resort casinos, metropolitan gaming facilities, bingo halls, and animal-themed lotteries. The measure has cleared the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate Committee on the Constitution and Justice. It currently awaits consideration by the complete Senate.
Senator Angelo Coronel has projected that comprehensive gambling authorization could produce BRL 70 billion in economic value and establish 700,000 direct employment opportunities.
Brazil received approximately 9.3 million international tourists in 2025. By contrast, Las Vegas independently attracted 38.5 million visitors throughout the same twelve-month span.
