In March of this year, the term ‘jogo do bicho’ was one of the most searched on google in Pará, with searches related to “results” and “where to bet”. The high demand may be related to the strong custom that the practice has in the state. At fairs, newsstands, homes or even on street corners it is possible to find a “bicheiro”, a nickname given to the person responsible for selling the games. Although this type of bet is considered a criminal misdemeanor in Brazil, the Bill that can regulate the operation of gambling raises expectations among operators and bettors in Belém.
At Feira da Pedreira, one of the most frequented fairs in the capital, it is easy to find several stalls where tickets are sold. The flow of customers is intense, usually made up of the fairgrounds themselves and residents of the neighborhood, such as Graça Ribeiro, 66 years old. She says she plays ‘jogo do bciho’ whenever she can, but she doesn't always get a prize. When this happens, the value gained in cash ends up supplying some needs.
“Sometimes I get it right, other times I'm not lucky, but when luck comes, it takes me out of the choke. I even bet R$1 and won R$18. This broke my business, as I was able to buy some things that were missing for my house, such as milk, coffee, rice and other products,” said the player. The bet of the day was on the alligator, one of the 25 animals that are part of the animal game. Graça Ribeiro claimed to have dreamed of people who had already died.
For her, dreams of this type indicate that the bets should be between an alligator and an elephant. Asked about the possibility of legalizing the practice, the player says that the change could influence the generation of jobs. “I hope that the game is legalized. There are many people in need of a job. It will definitely help a lot of people.”
And the ‘bicheiros’ (bookies)?
The bookies of the ‘jogo do bicho’ (bicheiros), do not usually give interviews to the press, due to the practice not being legalized and the constant fear of being caught by a possible inspection action. Andrea Pamplona, 38, works operating the games on site. She said that she was unaware of Bill 442/1991, approved by the Chamber on February 24 and under analysis by the Senate for possible approval.
The ‘bicheira’ says that the practice of making and playing is a family heirloom that is part of the habits of the people of Pará. “My father and my former husband were bookies, this is very common in my family. I've always seen my family members playing with the animal since I was a child. If it is legalized I just hope it brings improvements in some way. I confess that I was totally out of touch with the Bill, from now on I will be following the newspaper to see if it will be approved,” she assured.
Working as a game operator was the alternative that José Velasco, 77, found to supplement his income. Even retired, for seven years the old man has been sitting under an umbrella, near Feira da Pedreira, to sell games. “Everyone knows that pensioners are paid very little, so I come here every day to collect money. It's not much, but you can already help with the household expenses in some way,” says the bookie.
Asked about the chance of regularizing the game, the retiree says that it will be a way to be able to work safely. “People want to work, don't they? Everyone knows that nowadays it's not easy to find a job, that's why a lot of people work with it. However, many people are still afraid to work with the ‘jogo’ because it is not legal. I would like to feel safe while working. If it is legalized, it will be a security for all of us,” he evaluated.
Criminal misdemeanor in Brazil
There is a difference between criminal misdemeanor and crime, says lawyer Stefany Ferreira, from the Ferreira, Vaz e Abdala law firm, who is also a member of the OAB-PA Criminal Advocacy Support Commission. The expert explains that misdemeanors are like a milder type of crime. “The crime, for example, provides for imprisonment or detention of up to 30 years, while misdemeanors of detention can reach a maximum of up to five years,” she explained.
Regarding the criminalization of the ‘jogo do bicho’ in Brazil, the lawyer comments that it is a political choice. The expert says that the ban on gambling is old, from the 40s, a time when the practice did not have the proportion seen today. “This game is considered one of the first Brazilian criminal organizations, but it was not always like that. Usually the crackdown on the practice can have this as a consequence,” she commented.
To shed more light on the subject, she mentioned Portugal and the United States as countries where gambling is legalized, based on taxation, that is, where the State starts to obtain financial returns. “In these countries, the issue of gambling is allowed, including the presence of casinos. They chose to make the practice legal by taxing on top of it, with legalization and regulation, making the State win too,” said the lawyer.
Stefany says that the closest thing to the Brazilian reality today is the bets made in lottery houses. “You bet on the numbers that come from a draw. It is, in theory, a game of chance. But the lottery is run by the Federal Union, that is, with withholding taxes. It is worth remembering that whoever wins the lottery, from a certain amount, needs to give notice when filing the income tax return,” she pointed out.
Online sports betting is a curious fact, says the lawyer. Apps with the theme have become a craze, especially for those who like football. “Most of the companies that own these games are from other countries. In this case, they are only allowed because of a law that since 2018 regulates this issue of online betting involving sporting events. Although there is a law that does not criminalize, there is still no regularization in this sense,” highlights the lawyer.
Source: O Liberal
