Brazil: CCJ votes on bill authorising casinos and gambling

The text authorises the installation of casinos in tourist centres or integrated leisure complexes, with a limit of one casino in each state and the Federal District, with the exception of São Paulo, which could have up to three casinos, and Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Amazonas and Pará, where the limit for each state is two casinos. According to the proposal, gambling centres can also operate on maritime and river vessels, which will follow specific rules. The casino must prove a minimum paid-up share capital of at least R$100 million and may be accredited for 30 years.

The proposal also establishes rules for the game of bingo in card and electronic modalities, and allows each state to accredit one legal entity for every 700,000 inhabitants to operate the game of bicho. In this case, authorisations will be valid for 25 years, renewable for the same period. Horse racing can be operated by turf entities (linked to turf) accredited by the Ministry of Agriculture, which can also operate bingo and video bingo games at the same time.

In his report, Irajá dismissed as an "indeterminate legal concept" the offence against morals and good customs, used as an argument against games of chance, and stressed that the bill is about handing over to state control a practice that today constitutes a misdemeanour. Citing statistics on the legal and illegal betting market, Irajá concludes that "games of chance are already a relevant economic activity". The rapporteur rejected the amendments offered by the senators and offered a drafting amendment replacing the references to "Ministry of the Economy" with "Ministry of Finance".

Valorisation

Also on the CCJ's agenda is the proposed amendment to the Constitution(PEC 10/2023) that creates a monthly instalment of appreciation for time in office for members of the Judiciary and the Public Prosecutor's Office. The text by the President of the Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco, received a substitute from the rapporteur, Senator Eduardo Gomes (PL-TO). The discussion on the matter ended last Wednesday (10). According to the proposal, the extra allowance would not be subject to the constitutional ceiling. The benefit, calculated at 5% of the allowance, would be paid every five years of effective exercise, up to a limit of 30%.
 

Others

At the same meeting, the CCJ will vote on the PEC that includes in the Magna Carta the right to air quality among the fundamental rights and guarantees(PEC 7/2021) and the bill that allows the use of federal land for community gardens(PL 2.100/2019). Another matter to be voted on is the bill that creates, within the Senate, the Civil Protection and Defence Merit Award, to honour Brazilian municipalities that have excelled in actions aimed at civil protection and defence(PRS 116/2023).

Source: Agência Senado