Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies has taken a further step toward expanding the scope of regulated online betting, after its Sports Commission approved a proposal allowing rodeo and equestrian events to be included in the betting market.
The measure covers all rodeo modalities and equestrian competitions recognized by their respective sports federations. It also incorporates horse racing into the same regulatory framework.
Under the approved text, betting on animal-based sporting events would be expressly prohibited if organizers fail to ensure animal welfare. Lawmakers argued that the expansion of betting options must be paired with clear protections to prevent cruelty or abusive practices from being monetized.
The commission approved a substitute text presented by Deputy Caio Vianna. Instead of amending Brazil’s betting law directly, the revised proposal modifies the country’s Rodeo Law, establishing that any modality officially recognized by a federation is considered a sport.
This would allow the Executive Branch to authorize betting on new disciplines through regulation, without requiring new legislation for each sport.
According to Vianna, the approach preserves sporting autonomy while indirectly expanding the list of events eligible for betting. He argued that the model offers legal flexibility without weakening oversight.
The bill is advancing under a conclusive procedure and will now be reviewed by the Finance and Taxation Committee, followed by the Constitution and Justice Committee. To become law, it must still be approved by both the Chamber of Deputies and the Federal Senate.
The discussion unfolds as Brazilian regulators continue to address integrity, governance and oversight issues within animal-related sports, including financial transparency and compliance in horse racing institutions.
Brazil’s Sports Ministry recently signed an integrity cooperation agreement with the National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL)
