Amid pressure from the evangelical bench, Davi Alcolumbre (União-AP) has already removed the text from the agenda twice, justifying the absence of Senator Irajá, rapporteur of Bill 2,234/2022. This time, he was present and the president of the CCJ ruled out the possibility of postponement proposed by senator Eduardo Girão.
The senator opposing legal gambling requested the postponement claiming that another senator, Magno Malta, was not present and that he would like to discuss the matter. Alcolumbre did not agree and defined only the collective view.
Alcolumbre's position regarding the advancement of the proposal is the same as that of the president of the Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco, and both are supportive of the proposal. “I consider it an important, worthwhile project and I am in favor of it,” declared Alcolumbre, who behind the scenes has been supporting the progress of the matter.
Senator Irajá is also in favor of the matter and has already advanced his vote when he read the report, which must now pass into the hands of senators who do not support legal gambling, leaving it on the eternal illegal market.
Irajá estimates that the gambling market in Brazil will generate at least R$15 billion (US$ 3bn) in 2023, a value that, according to him, could exceed R$30 billion (US$6 bn) per year. Citing statistics on the legal or illegal betting market, Irajá concludes that “gambling is already a significant economic activity.”
In his report, Irajá declared the offense against morals and good customs, used as an argument against gambling, as an “indeterminate legal concept”, and highlighted that the project aims to transfer to State control a practice that today constitutes a misdemeanor.
Despite the argument of an increase in revenue, the government leader in the Senate, Jaques Wagner, confirms that the issue divides the government base. “I still don’t have a definitive government position. If you look at it, whoever has the head of the Treasury will say that it will generate revenue,” pointed out.
For opposition senator Dr. Hiran, the regulation of casinos in the country has enormous potential in generating jobs and therefore should prioritize developing areas.
“Casinos are a private investment that generates a lot of jobs in the services and entertainment sector. The areas that have casinos in the world, like Las Vegas, earn much more from entertainment than from gambling,” argued the senator.
Meanwhile, the position of the evangelical base is being ignored, with opinions presenting misconceptions against gambling, as being subject to money laundering, association with crime and other problems.
According to the proposal, already approved by the Chamber of Deputies under Bill 442/91, in addition to the legalization of casinos in tourist centers or in integrated leisure, bingo and gambling complexes, gaming houses may also operate on maritime vessels. and rivers, which will follow specific rules. The casino must demonstrate a minimum paid-up share capital of at least R$100 million (US$20m) and may be accredited for 30 years.
The proposal also establishes rules for the game of bingo in card and electronic formats, and allows in each state the accreditation of one legal entity for every 700 thousand inhabitants to operate the jogo do bicho.
In this case, the authorizations will be valid for 25 years, renewable for the same period. Horse racing may be operated by turf entities (linked to turf) accredited by the Ministry of Agriculture, which may also operate, at the same time, bingo and video bingo games.
Source: GMB
