The project, from the Chamber of Deputies, only went through the Economic Affairs Commission (CAE), where it had a favorable opinion with wording adjustments. Since it was approved at the beginning of June, senators have presented requests asking the analysis of the project by six other committees: Constitution and Justice (CCJ), Social Affairs (CAS), Education (CE), Human Rights (CDH), Communication and Law Digital (CCDD) and Sport (CEsp). The matter will be discussed at a new meeting tomorrow, Thursday 17th.
One of the divergences presented deals with changes made to the text while still in the Chamber. According to senator Leila Barros, one of those who require more debate on the project, the text now includes the so-called fantasy games, which are competitions based on real sporting results. Another controversial point is the definition of what electronic games are, for the purpose of the project.
“The original text dealt specifically with electronic games, but the text that was sent to the Senate includes fantasy games. These are absolutely different things. Fantasy games resemble a betting lottery, which is already being disciplined by provisional measure [PM 1,182/2023]. There is also disagreement with the definition of electronic games as mere software, disregarding their connection with the audiovisual sector,” said Leila.
Senator Carlos Viana cited a 2022 study carried out by the Institute of Psychology at the University of São Paulo (USP) on the relationship between young people and electronic games. According to him, 28.1% of the adolescents consulted by the research were classified as Internet Gambling Disorder (TJI), characterized by a compulsive relationship with the activity.
“We need to take responsibility. The matter is serious. We are talking about behavior. A teenager's brain can't process it as reality or not and creates an addiction. Let's move on to a broader discussion. We need to be very careful because there is an absurd, silent lobby to approve games in Brazil at any cost.”
If it is approved in the Senate without changes, Bill 2,796/2021 may proceed to presidential sanction. In case of changes, it will return to the Chamber of Deputies, which will have the final word.
Source: Senate Agency
