Federal Deputy Romero Rodrigues, from Paraíba, submitted a request to the Chamber's Tourism Commission to discuss the legalization of gambling in Brazil. In his letter to the chairman of the Commission, he indicates that the discussion is controversial, but fundamental, and that "it is necessary to base future decisions, shed light on the issue and allow society to pronounce."
Rodrigues comments that “with the approval by this House of Bill 442/91 last year, and all the media repercussions on the taxation of online gaming, this Tourism Commission sees the need to debate on the subject.”
He especially wants to listen to the Minister of Tourism, so that she can make contributions on the importance of the sector in attracting tourists to Brazil, as well as the rapporteur for Bill 442/91, Felipe Carreras. Approval of the request is pending for the scheduling of the public hearing.
In early 2022, the Chamber of Deputies voted and approved Bill 442/91, after extensive debate by the Working Group created by the President of the House, Arthur Lira (PP-AL). The project was reported by Federal Deputy Felipe Carreras (PSB-PE) and provides for the legalization of casinos, bingos, jogo do bicho and sports betting.
Sent to the Senate, Bill 442/91 is at a standstill awaiting a decision by the President of the House, Rodrigo Pacheco (PSD-MG). Although he has not put it up for discussion, Pacheco said last month that the project, which received number 2234/2022 in the Senate, is one of the priorities for this year. He even told party leaders that if approved, it could be an important source of revenue.
Even so, he has not made any decision as to the rite that the bill will follow in the Senate. Parliamentarians close to the senator claim that he is waiting for the right moment for the Bill to proceed. It has been supported not only by senators in favor of legalization, but also by federal deputies and by the mayor, Arthur Lira, who categorically stated that “gaming is an extraordinary source of jobs, an extraordinary source of revenue. It exists everywhere in the country and we do not regulate it”.
“The Chamber has already voted and we are waiting for the sensitivity of the Senate so that it can make that vote. If you change the text, it goes back to the Chamber, if not, it goes to sanction. We have to start treating our country as it is and have the courage to face the issues without any kind of prejudice,” concludes Lira.
Source: GMB
