Brazilian Senators criticise gambling bill and call for more debate

Senator Eliziane Gama (PSD-MA) asks that the matter - which could be voted on this Wednesday (14) in the Constitution and Justice Committee (CCJ) on a terminative basis - also be dealt with in the Economic Affairs Committee (CAE); Social Affairs Committee (CAS); and Public Security Committee (CSP).

In defence of her request, Eliziane expressed concern about what she called the "gambling statute" and the worsening of gambling addiction. She cited statistics from the United States that indicate a negative impact on public safety, mental health and social security in places that authorise casinos.

“The justification that we're going to raise revenue doesn't hold up. At the end of the day, the result will be on health and safety. In other words: it's coming in on one side and going out, in large quantities, on the other”, he warned.

Senator Zenaide Maia (PSD-RN) declared her vote against the legalisation of games of chance, saying she was against vices of any kind. She also said that the tax revenue from gambling centres would not compensate for the losses suffered by families.

"If you want to destroy a young person's life, give them an addiction," he said.

For Senator Eduardo Girão (Novo-CE), who supported extending the debate to other committees, the time is inappropriate to discuss casinos when Rio Grande do Sul has suffered a tragedy. Damares Alves (Republicans-DF) joined the call for the debate to be deepened so that the senators elected in 2022 can express their position on the issue in the committees. Leila Barros (PDT-DF) emphasised the seriousness of the issue which, according to her, compromises the population's mental health. Cleitinho (Republicans-MG) asked the CCJ to be aware of the issue and also declared his vote against it. Carlos Viana (Podemos-MG) predicts that casinos will generate "cursed money" that won't settle public accounts.

Agência Senado