Brazil: Today, CCJ to debate bill that legalizes casinos, bingo and jogo do bicho

The authorization given by Davi Alcolumbre for a collective perspective has halted the debate and voting on Bill 2,234/2022. However, this week, barring any senator’s intervention to delay it further, the bill is expected to be passed by the Constitution and Justice Committee. Despite ongoing covert efforts to avoid addressing the issue, an unexpected turn of events could occur at today’s meeting commencement.

Amid pressure from the evangelical bench, Davi Alcolumbre has already postponed the discussion three times. Even so, the president of the Commission has already declared that he wants to vote on the Bill before the parliamentary recess, which begins on July 15th. “I consider it an important, worthy project and I am in favor of it,” he declared, who behind the scenes has supported the advancement of the matter despite the maneuvers of evangelicals.

In addition to him, the president of the Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco, is also in favor of legalizing gambling in Brazil. Senator Irajá also supports the matter and already voted in advance when he read the report.

Senator Irajá estimates that the gambling market in Brazil will generate at least R$15 billion (US$ 2,8bn) in 2023, a value that, according to him, could exceed R$30 billion (US$ 5,60bn) per year. Citing statistics on the legal or illegal betting market, Irajá concludes that “gambling already constitutes a relevant economic activity.”

In his report, Irajá dismissed as an “indeterminate legal concept” the offense against morals and good customs, used as an argument against gambling, and highlighted that the project seeks to transfer to State control a practice that today constitutes a misdemeanor. Meanwhile, the position of the evangelical base is being ignored, which continues to present mistaken opinions 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$100 million (US$ 18,600m) and may be accredited for 30 years.

The proposal sets forth regulations for playing bingo, both on cards and electronically, and permits each state to recognize one legal operator for every 700,000 residents to manage the game. These licenses are valid for 25 years and can be renewed for another 25 years. Additionally, horse racing can be conducted by turf organizations accredited by the Ministry of Agriculture, which are also allowed to run bingo and video bingo simultaneously.
 
Source: GMB