The discussion in the Plenary this Tuesday (14) of the request – which was not put on the agenda – to submit to three more Senate committees the project that authorizes the operation of casinos, bingos, jogo do bicho and horse racing (Bill 2.234/ 2022) was marked by criticism of the possibility of expanding the legalization of gambling in the country.
The request is nothing more than a maneuver by senators who close their eyes to the reality that this is an economic activity with a strong social reach due to the formal jobs to be generated, investments of billions of dollars and collection of as much in taxes.
In it, senator Eliziane Gama (PSD-MA) asks that the matter – which could be voted on this Wednesday (14) in the Constitution and Justice Commission (CCJ) on a final basis – also be processed in the Economic Affairs commissions (CAE) , Social Affairs (CAS) and Public Security (CSP).
When defending her application, Eliziane expressed concern about what she called the “gambling statute” and the worsening of gaming addiction. She cited statistics from the United States that indicate a negative impact on public safety, mental health and social security in places that authorize casinos.
“The justification that we are going to collect money is not sustainable. Up front, the result is health and safety. In other words: it means entering from one side and leaving, in large numbers, from the other,” she warned.
Senator Zenaide Maia (PSD-RN) declared her vote against the legalization of gambling, saying she was against vices of any kind. She also stated that tax revenue from gaming houses will not compensate for families' losses. “If you want to destroy a young person’s life, give him an addiction,” she defined.
For senator Eduardo Girão (Novo-CE), who supported expanding the debate to other committees, the time is inappropriate for a discussion about casinos when Rio Grande do Sul suffers a tragedy. The way this senator positions himself, citing the tragedy caused by the rains, it seems that he imagines that if the casinos, bingos and Jogo do Bicho are loyal, “the rain will not stop.”
Mixing the discussion with the topic of floods in Rio Grande do Sul is yet another maneuver by the eternal opponent of gambling to the activity and adds to other contrary and unsupported positions that he has already expressed both in committees and in the Senate Plenary.
Damares Alves (Republicanos-DF) joined the demand to deepen the debate so that senators elected in 2022 can express their position on the topic in committees.
Leila Barros (PDT-DF) highlighted the seriousness of the issue which, according to her, compromises the mental health of the population.
Cleitinho (Republicanos-MG) asked the CCJ for awareness on the matter and also declared his vote against. And Carlos Viana (Podemos-MG) predicts that casinos will generate “cursed money” that will not settle public accounts.
Source: GMB / Agência Senado
