Senator Fernando Bezerra Coelho
(PSB-PE) said he hopes to have all the necessary support for the approval of
PLS 186/14, which legalizes gambling in Brazil, next March or April 2017. The
statement was made during a recent interview with Program Radio Jornal
Pernambuco.
Despite the expectation, the Senator admitted the strength of different
opposite groups in the Chamber and religious movements in the debate. Fernando
Bezerra quoted senators Aloiso Nunes and Magno Malta who have already stated
that they do not vote in favor of the project because of their religious
convictions. But he recalled that countries with great religious influence,
such as the United States, France and Germany, were able to overcome
differences and legalize the activity.
The senator answered about gambling addiction, that has been defended like a motive
to not approve the project. He assured that all resources coming from the operators
(concessions to exploit the activity) will be destinated to the health area and
will be required that the health system also treat people dependent on
gambling.
Fernando Bezerra stated that
it is necessary for Brazil to take a step towards what is being done in the
world and that by prohibiting gambling the country is not the same as the other
countries. He stated that among countries with a UN accent, 75% have already
legalized gambling.
Talking about the project, he said that the text is fairly balanced and careful
to regulate the activity. He also reiterated that legalization will generate important
resources for the country and that the amounts collected will be divided into
several key areas, such as the Federal Police, culture, sports and especially
for the social security system.
Source: GMB / Rádio Jornal Pernambuco
