Brazil Senate Proposes Betting for Nonprofit Health Funding

A new bill introduced in the Brazilian Senate aims to allow nonprofit health care institutions to offer fixed-odds betting services as a means to raise funds for activities linked to the country’s public health system, the Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS).

Senator Dra. Eudócia (PL–AL) proposed that philanthropic hospitals, charitable health organizations, humanitarian groups and other nonprofit entities providing health services to the SUS be authorized to operate betting services. Participating institutions would be exempt from licensing fees, provided all revenue generated is directed exclusively to health-related purposes.

Funds Dedicated to Healthcare
The bill specifies that proceeds from betting activities must support essential health expenditures, including purchasing medications, acquiring medical equipment, maintaining health services and improving infrastructure at hospitals and other care facilities. Profits cannot be distributed to administrators or members and must instead fund the enhancement of services provided to the public.

Senator Eudócia highlighted that the initiative is intended to create an additional funding source for organizations serving the SUS, drawing on international examples where lotteries and betting contribute to social causes.

Transparency and Financial Oversight
To ensure proper use of funds, the bill proposes that participating institutions maintain separate accounting for betting revenue. This measure aims to strengthen transparency and allow authorities to monitor how funds are allocated and spent.

Inspired by Global Practices
The bill references international models as precedents. In the United Kingdom, a portion of National Lottery profits is allocated to social programs, while in Canada, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation channels revenue toward public health initiatives. These examples serve as the basis for Brazil’s proposed framework.

Eligible Institutions
If passed, the legislation would permit nonprofit institutions providing care to the SUS to operate betting services. Eligible participants include philanthropic hospitals, charitable healthcare organizations, humanitarian groups and other nonprofit health entities collaborating with the public health system.

The initiative is expected to provide a complementary funding stream for healthcare institutions facing financial challenges, ensuring that betting revenue is reinvested in improving public health services across Brazil.