Brazilian Senate: Casino bill postponed until after elections, leaders decide

The final decision was taken after a meeting of the upper house's leaders on Thursday 8th August.

Next week, the plenary is expected to vote on the bills to renegotiate the states' debt, the so-called proposal to amend the constitution (PEC) on amnesty for political parties' debt and the bill to reshape the payroll.

Leaders pondered that the issue needs to be matured and that the different congressional calendar in August and September, due to the municipal elections, makes it difficult to have a more in-depth debate.

The House and Senate have fewer days for sessions and activities this month and next. The House, for example, will only have 12 days of face-to-face work in both months.

The bill that could free casinos in Brazil was approved by the Senate's Constitution and Justice Committee (CCJ) by a narrow margin: 14 votes in favour and 12 against.

According to the opposition, the creation of casinos will lead to more money laundering, drug trafficking and an increase in crime. The government has not closed its position on the issue and should remain so, leading allies to vote as they wish.

What the text of the Casino Bill says
The bill allows casinos to be set up in tourist centres or leisure complexes, such as luxury hotels with at least 100 rooms, resorts, restaurants and bars, for example.

Under the bill, each state and the Federal District can have one casino, with the exception of São Paulo, which can have up to three. Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Amazonas and Pará can each have up to two. The distinction is made according to population size or territory.

There is also authorisation for up to ten casinos to be installed on maritime vessels with at least 50 rooms. The criteria are as follows:

• One casino on each river between 1,500 and 2,500 kilometres long;
• Two on each river between 2,500 and 3,500 kilometres;
• Three on each river longer than 3,500 kilometres.
• Under the new law, vessels with casinos will be authorised to remain anchored in the same place for 30 days. In the case of bingos, the rule stipulates that one must operate for every 150,000 inhabitants. As for gambling, the rule is one for every 700,000 inhabitants.

The text makes it clear that only customers who pay by Pix or debit card will be able to play. Credit cards are not authorised and the institution could face criminal penalties.