Despite several expressions of support for the project and serious and responsible clarifications, opponents of legal gambling in Brazil continue to push for the postponement of Bill 2.234/2022.
The project authorizes the establishment of casinos in tourist hubs or integrated leisure complexes, with a limit of one casino per state and the Federal District, except for São Paulo, which could have up to three casinos, and for Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Amazonas, and Pará, where the limit is set at two casinos per state.
Last week, it was agreed to remove the Bill from the agenda due to the absence of the rapporteur, Senator Irajá, who has already stated his support for the matter. To gain time and keep gambling illegal, without collecting taxes or generating jobs, lawmakers opposed to the project have already announced that they will request to examine the Bill further so that the topic is not voted on.
Respecting the procedure, the president of the CCJ, Senator Davi Alcolumbre, has already admitted that the Bill will be examined further and will be voted on June 5, considering that next week's session (29th) will be semi-virtual.
According to him, the Bill arrived at the Constitution and Justice Committee on May 10 of last year and can no longer be continuously postponed.
According to the proposal, already approved in the Chamber of Deputies under Bill 442/91, in addition to legalizing casinos in tourist hubs or integrated leisure complexes, bingo halls, and the "jogo do bicho" lottery game, gambling houses on maritime and river vessels can also operate, following specific rules. The casino must demonstrate a minimum paid-up share capital of at least R$ 100 million and can be accredited for 30 years.
The proposition also establishes rules for bingo games in card and electronic modalities, and allows for the accreditation of one legal entity per 700,000 inhabitants in each state for the operation of the "jogo do bicho" lottery game.
In this case, the authorizations will be valid for 25 years, renewable for an equal period. Horse races can be operated by turf entities (related to horse racing) accredited by the Ministry of Agriculture, which can also simultaneously operate bingo and video bingo games.
In his report, Irajá dismissed as "vague legal concept" the argument of offense to morality and good customs used against gambling, and highlighted that the project aims to bring under state control a practice that currently constitutes a misdemeanor.
Citing statistics on the legal or illegal betting market, Irajá concludes that "gambling is already a relevant economic activity."
Source: GMB
