Brazil’s Sports Commission of the Chamber of Deputies approved in December a proposal that will make it possible for all rodeo modalities and horse riding activities to take part in legal sports betting in Brazil. The proposal will also integrate horse racing, also known as turf, into the legal sports bookmaking system, which has not changed since 1984.

Once approved, it will greatly expand sports events where fixed odds betting is possible in Brazil because it will bring traditional sports, along with rural sports, in line with the emerging betting culture in Brazil.

Approved Substitute Text and Legislative Strategy

The commission accepted the substitute text, presented by rapporteur Representative Caio Vianna (PSD-RJ), to Bill No. 3388/25, which was originally drafted by Representative Capitão Augusto (PL-SP). This revised text presents a strategic shift in argumentation from that used in the original bill.

The approved version does not change the Sports Betting Law. Instead, it modifies the Rodeo Law. In this respect, according to the newly drafted version:

Any rodeo or equestrian event recognized by the corresponding federation will be considered a sport. This will enable the Executive Branch to add the sport to the betting offer via a regulation rather than the need for a specific legal framework for each given sport.

According to the rapporteur, this approach maintains institutional balance while enabling market expansion. “We preserved sporting autonomy in the recognition of activities, while also making it possible, albeit indirectly, for the desired expansion of the list of modalities authorized to receive bets”, Caio Vianna explained.

Changes Affecting Horse Racing (Turf)

Another important point of the proposed document is that of horse racing, which has traditionally been regulated by Law No. 7.291/84. This new document eliminates fixed odds on turf racing from the aforementioned older law and subjugates it to the Brazilian sports betting regulatory framework.

This proposed change aims to harmonize regulation, taxation, and compliance procedures for horse racing to bring it into line with other sports now governed by contemporary betting legislation.

Explicit Animal Welfare Protections

Animal protection is one of the major aspects of the proposal. The new regulatory measures have banned betting on sports involving animals where the welfare of the animals is not ensured. The move aims to prevent the commercialization of activities that may cause harm to animals.

“It cannot be accepted that animals are subjected to cruel treatment, nor that such practices become the object of betting”, stated Caio Vianna in his report. This provision responds to long-standing concerns raised by animal welfare advocates regarding rodeos, equestrian competitions, and racing events.

Legislative Path Forward

The bill is moving through a conclusive procedure, in that it will not need a vote in the full Chamber unless appealed. It now goes to the Committee on Finance and Taxation, as well as the Committee on Constitution, Justice, and Citizenship.

However, for this proposal to become a law, it must gain approval from both the Chamber of Deputies and the Federal Senate. If this proposal is enacted, it has the potential to transform the Brazilian online sports betting market by incorporating traditional sports. The move is another step Brazil has taken in its efforts to develop and improve its regulated betting market.

Source: BNL Data