Legalization of gambling and casino reopening in Brazil

The legalisation of gambling is still on the CCJ's agenda. The bill (PLS 186/2014), by Senator Ciro Nogueira (PP-PI), which authorises the exploitation of "games of chance", whether online or in person, throughout the country, is the first item on the agenda for the meeting scheduled to start at 10am.

The proposal being analysed is an alternative text presented by the rapporteur, Senator Benedito de Lira (PP-AL). According to it, accreditation to operate bingo and video-bingo games will have a term of 20 years, renewable for the same period, and will be the responsibility of the states. Accreditation for casinos will be valid for 30 years and may be renewed for successive periods.

Under the proposal, companies authorised to operate games of chance will also be required to comply with the Money Laundering Act, obliging them to register clients and report operations to the Financial Activities Control Council (Coafi).

Separate votes

PLS 186/2014 received two separate votes, both rejecting the legalisation of gambling in the country. One of them was presented by Senator Magno Malta (PR-ES) and concludes that "there are no reasons or arguments that demonstrate that legalising the exploitation of games of chance in Brazil is the right decision". In his vote, Malta warns of the special vulnerability of the elderly to gambling.

The other was drafted by Senator Randolfe Rodrigues (Rede-AP). He argues that the exploitation of games of chance encourages money laundering; has a "harmful" psychological and socio-familial impact on the habitual gambler; and should not produce an increase in tax revenue or boost tourism in Brazil.

If the substitute to PLS 186/2014 is approved, it will have to be submitted to an additional round of voting in the CCJ.

Temporary custody

The agenda for the CCJ meeting includes 27 other items, including PLS 371/2016, by Senator Aécio Neves (PSDB-MG), which extends temporary custody in adoption cases for an indefinite period, valid until the judgement on the case is announced.

Currently, the judge grants provisional custody for a fixed term. In Aécio's view, this creates extra difficulties for adopting families, who have to go to court to renew the measure until the final decision on the case is made.