In four episodes, the original Canal Brasil series will show how this contravention was inserted into popular culture in Rio de Janeiro, being the theme of songs, soap operas and movies, in addition to being present in football and carnival.
Filming began this month and more than 15 respondents have already been heard, including historians, journalists, researchers and experts on the subject. Former Attorney General of Rio de Janeiro Antonio Carlos Biscaia, federal deputy Marcelo Freixo, Carnivalist Milton Cunha and historian and writer Luiz Antonio Simas are among the names.
Almost 130 years
The jogo do bicho (animal game) was created in 1892 by Baron João Batista Drummond, founder of the Rio de Janeiro Zoo. To increase popular attendance at the zoo, the baron decided to stipulate a cash prize to the holder of the entrance ticket that had the figure of the animal of the day, who was chosen from among the 25 animals in the zoo and spent the entire day covered with a cloth. The cloth was only removed at the end of the day, revealing the animal of the day. Later, animals were associated with lottery number series and the game was played largely outside the zoo.
The jogo do bicho is similar to a lottery, but with some differences: one of them is that the player can bet any amount. The greater the amount wagered on a numerical sequence (thousands, hundreds, tens, etc.), the greater the payout in case of a hit. With this betting flexibility, the player is free to choose for the smallest amount possible his lucky number from the 10,000 chances available in each draw.
Even after almost 130 years, the game remains outside the law and projects for the regulation of gambling in Brazil are being discussed in the National Congress. PLS 186/14 provides for its regulation, in addition to bingos and casinos. It has already been approved by the committees and is ready for voting in plenary.
In addition, within the scope of the Federal Supreme Court, the agenda for voting on Extraordinary Appeal 966177 is pending, which discusses the reception or not of the Criminal Misdemeanor Law in the Constitution, which could decriminalize games of chance in the country. Scheduled to go to the vote in April, RE 966177 was taken off the agenda by Minister President Luiz Fux. It was expected to be included in the agenda for the second half of the year, but at the end of June the judgment agenda for the period was released and the RE was not included.
Source: GMB / Blog Ancelmo Gois
