The bill foresees the creation of two taxes, the revenue from which will be shared with the states, Federal District, municipalities, Embratur and the sports and culture funds. Senators opposed to the proposal cite the strengthening of organized crime, money laundering and cases of gambling addiction.
Originating from the Chamber of Deputies, Bill 2.234/2022 will authorize the operation of casinos, bingo halls and jogo do bicho in Brazil, but with limitations.
In the case of casinos, only one establishment per state and in the Federal District will be allowed, with the exception of São Paulo, which may have up to three, and Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Amazonas and Pará, which may have up to two each, due to the size of their population or territory.
Also according to the project, each municipality may authorize the operation of a bingo hall, but larger cities may have one for every 150,000 inhabitants. The operation of the jogo do bicho may be carried out in each state and in the Federal District by one company for every group of 700,000 inhabitants.
The proposal also establishes that bets on horse races will be coordinated by horse racing entities accredited by the Ministry of Agriculture. Citing that the project was already discussed in the Senate over a year ago, the rapporteur, Senator Irajá, defended its approval in August.
“The project is ready to be voted on in the Senate plenary. We have already discussed this matter extensively, for over a year and two months in the Senate, it has already been approved by the CCJ, we have already held public hearings, and we have already discussed it in some sessions. We have enough votes to be able to approve this matter, and we have convinced most senators of the importance of delivering this project to the country, which will revolutionize Brazilian tourism and create a new business environment with clear rules, responsible gambling, and legal gambling.”
The project also provides for the creation of the Gaming and Betting Inspection Fee (Tafija), and the Contribution for Intervention in the Economic Domain levied on the sale of gaming and betting (Cide Jogos), which will be shared with the states, municipalities, Embratur, and also earmarked for actions in the areas of sports, culture, and even to combat gambling addiction, known as gambling addiction.
The senators opposed to the legalization of gambling in the country cite the activities of organized crime, money laundering, and gambling addiction.
The project will return to the Constitution and Justice Committee for analysis of the suggested changes made in the Plenary.
Source: GMB
