"There is no agreement, but there is a lot of conversation," said Arthur Lira yesterday (Wednesday 15). On Monday (13), the president of the Chamber tried to put the project to a vote, but there was resistance from evangelicals. "The thesis does not have a closed position, in support or against, but it is agreed with the leaders to discuss and work on this issue," stated Lira. "There is the possibility, proposed by the opposition, which is to open the discussion, adjust the text, close the discussion and vote next year."
The proposal is a report by Felipe Carreras based on a 1991 project and a series of other proposals presented in the last 30 years. After the analysis of a special Working Group (WG), he made a text that legalizes casinos, gaming machines, bingos, video-bingos, online games and horse racing betting. The document removes the local popular jogo do bicho from the condition of criminal misdemeanor. Lotteries would remain the responsibility of the federal government.
Gaming move USD 4.75 billion, says rapporteur
UOL got access to the final version of Felipe Carreras' report. In it, the deputy highlighted that illegal gaming move BLR 27 billion a year (USD .75 billion), according to an estimate made by a colleague of his, deputy Victório Galli, in 2018.
Opposition sees "gravity" and possible laundering
Opposition leader Alessandro Molon (PSB-RJ), from the same party as the bill's rapporteur, is against the proposal. He believes that the legalization of gaming does not pass in the plenary, starting with the fact that the analysis of a "subject of this gravity" is done in a hurry. "There is no climate to vote on this," said Molon on Wednesday (15), in the green room at the Chamber.
"The consequences of gaming are not trivial. This idea that it generates employment and income is false. This money that goes to gaming, when you legalize it, could go to productive activities. What does gaming produce, in terms of wealth?", commented Molon.
Deputy Lincoln Portela (PL-MG) says that there is strength in the evangelical bench to obstruct the votes. But, even if the urgency is approved, he does not believe that the legalization will be approved, precisely because of the religious parliamentary fronts.
We've already discussed 30 years, says leader
The leader of the Republicans, Hugo Motta (PB), disagrees with his colleagues. For him, there is a climate for voting on the legalization of the activity. In addition, the debate has been going on for 30 years. "I think the urgency can be approved," Motta told UOL. "It's been discussed. It's been discussed for 30 years. If you don't discuss it now, will you discuss it when? Let's vote. If it's to lose," explained deputy Motta.
Deputy Lafayette Andrada (Republicans-MG) also sees a climate for approval. "Today, there is an understanding of the need to legalize gaming in the House," he said. For the parliamentarian, despite possible obstruction, there are enough votes to approve.
Source: UOL
