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From The Golden Era To The Digital Return: Casinos In Brazil Face A New Phase With Online Betting Regulation And Old Challenges Still On The Agenda
Casinos in Brazil carry a history marked by highs and lows. From times of luxury and crowded halls to total prohibition for decades, the trajectory of this type of entertainment is full of changes. Now, with the recent regulation of online casinos and sports betting, the country enters a new phase that promises to transform the gaming market.
From The Golden Age To The 1946 Ban
It all began in the early 20th century. In 1920, President Epitácio Pessoa authorized the opening of casinos in seaside resorts and places with hot springs. Three years later, in 1923, the Copacabana Palace was inaugurated in Rio de Janeiro, which housed the famous Copacabana Casino.
The 1930s marked the peak of casinos in Brazil, particularly the Urca Casino, which became one of the largest in Latin America.
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This period became known as the golden age of casinos in the country, between 1930 and 1945. Large halls operated in various regions and attracted artists, businessmen, politicians, and the elite of the time.
However, in 1946, everything changed. The then-president Eurico Gaspar Dutra banned casinos, claiming they were harmful to morals and good customs. Since then, the activity has been illegal in Brazil.
The King of Roulette And The Legendary Halls
During the 1930s, Joaquim Rolla stood out as one of the most well-known figures in the gaming scene. Known as the “King of Roulette,” Rolla was a partner of the Urca Casino and owner of other important casinos in the country. Among them were the halls of Pampulha in Belo Horizonte and Icaraí in Niterói.
His biggest project was the Quitandinha casino in Petrópolis. The place was so grand that, if it were still operating today, it would be among the largest in Latin America.
Joaquim Rolla’s casinos were also the stage for performances by renowned artists, such as Yma Sumac and the orchestra of Ray Ventura. International stars, such as actress Lana Turner and King Carol II of Romania, also passed through there.
Prohibition That Shaped Decades
Starting in 1946, casinos were officially banned and began to be considered a crime. Many of the places that once housed gaming tables turned into mere hotels or resorts. The last roulette spun at the Copacabana Palace on April 30 of that year, before the ban decreed by the Dutra government.
With the restriction, the gaming landscape in the country transformed. Alternative forms of betting began to emerge, some authorized by law and others informally.
Informal Games And The Persistence Of The Habit
Despite the ban, Brazilians did not stop gambling. Betting on horse races and lotteries from the Caixa Econômica Federal remained legalized. Additionally, the traditional animal game continued to thrive, even informally, in various communities.
Another example was bingo, which was common in several cities until 2004, when it was also banned. This scenario fueled the debate about the need for clearer and more effective regulation for the sector.
Growth Of Online Casinos
In recent years, online games have gained ground in Brazil. The advancement of technology and the ease of access to the Internet have driven the growth of virtual casino platforms.
This movement brought back classic games such as roulette, which has become one of the most popular modalities among Brazilians.
In 2018, Law 13.756/2018, approved during Michel Temer’s administration, allowed foreign online casinos to operate in the country. By 2023, the Chamber of Deputies approved the regulation of sports betting and virtual casinos, marking a new moment for the sector.
Structure For A Safer Market
With the recent release, new concerns have also emerged. The gaming market in Brazil still faces challenges related to security, responsibility, and user protection. An example of this was the scandal involving an online casino, which reinforced the need for clear rules.
To help strengthen the sector, organizations like the Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming (IBJR) have sought to establish best practices. The IBJR proposes awareness actions on responsible gambling and advocates for a code of advertising for operators.
These measures aim to ensure users have more security and that companies act ethically, respecting limits and protecting the most vulnerable.
Online Casinos: A New Phase With Old Challenges
The legalization of online casinos and sports betting represents an important milestone in the history of gaming in Brazil. However, the country still needs to face old challenges such as controlling informality, adequate supervision, and combating potential abuses.
Despite the transformations and modernization of the sector, the debate about gambling in Brazil remains alive. Political, ethical, and economic issues are still on the agenda. What we see today is the effort to build a balanced market that respects laws and offers safe options for those who wish to gamble.
The trajectory of casinos in Brazil reveals a mix of glamour, prohibition, and reinvention. From roulette in luxury halls to clicks in online casinos, gambling continues to be present in the lives of Brazilians.
Now, with new rules and greater visibility, the country takes another step in its attempt to reconcile tradition, technology, and responsibility.
With information from World History.
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