Signed as the authors of the motion are the parliamentarians Flavia Cassina / PTB, Adiló Didomenico / PTB, Aliko Thomé / PTB, Kiko Girardi / PSD, Gladis Frizzo / PMDB, Paula Ioris / PSDB, Paulo Périco / PMDB, Rafael Bueno / PDT and Ricardo Daneluz / PDT.
According to the Chamber, the country is losing much appeal because of the illegality of the activity. With due regulation, it considers that tax collection could revert to priority areas such as health. The councilors Adiló Didomenico (PTB), Rafael Bueno (PDT), Ricardo Daneluz (PDT) also followed in the same line. Bueno points out that taxes can contribute to tourism and also to prevent people from over-playing. Daneluz observes that people practice gambling whether or not they are legal.
On the other hand, the councilmen Renato Nunes (PR) and Renato Oliveira (PCdoB) opposed the motion. Nunes is afraid that legalization will encourage many people to gambling addiction.
In a document reviewed in the Chamber, councilors report that, on March 7 of this year, a bill authored by Senator Ciro Nogueira (PP/PI) was barred by the Senate's Constitution, Justice and Citizenship Commission (CCJ). Most senators opposed the approval of Bill 186/2014, which authorizes the exploration of bingos, jogo do bicho, video game and other betting modalities.
That PL 186/2014, among other points, defines which are the games of chance, how they are exploited, authorizations, destination of the resources collected; and defines administrative infractions and crimes as a result of violations of the rules concerning the operation of games of chance.
At the same time, the councilors point out that the matter has been under discussion for some time in the Federal Chamber. According to them, a project that would be ready to go to plenary in the Federal Chamber allows the operation of casinos, bingos, jogo do bicho, slots and betting online. It also provides for the creation of a regulatory agency by the federal government to oversee these establishments.
"There is a great need for consideration. It occurs that, even with the prohibition of such games in the country, it is known that, clandestinely, they continue to be practiced. The gaming industry has great capacity to generate direct and indirect jobs. To give you an idea, bingos generated around 120,000 direct jobs, considering an average of 120 jobs each, among attendants, technicians, waiters, valets, administrative and others," exemplify the authors of the motion, in defending legalization.
In the document, parliamentarians note that many people travel and play on these games in other countries, when they could stay in Brazil if there were regulations. "Looking at all these points, it is not difficult to conclude that the legalization of hte activity, with due rule, only brings benefits to the population," said the city councilmen. They also add an idea presented by State Representative Ronaldo Santini (PTB-RS) and other MPs in order to enable the state government to allow games and casinos in Rio Grande do Sul as a new source of funds for health financing.
"With the operation of the State Lottery of Rio Grande do Sul (Lotergs) and the casinos, the funds generated would be allocated immediately to hospitals and philanthropic health houses. This would be a form of collection that would not burden the population even more with the creation of new taxes, given that the allocation of resources to hospitals decides between life and death of people," assess the councilmen, demonstrating agreement with the proposal.
A copy of the motion approved last Thursday (07/06) will be sent to the presidency and the leaders of the Assembly of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, to the state government, to the presidency and to the leadership of the bench in the Senate and in the Federal Chamber, and to the presidency of the Republic.
Source: GMB / Caxias do Sul City Hall
