Legislation
Brazil – Organisations come out in support of new gaming laws
By Phil - 23 April 2019
A number of organisations have expressed their support for gaming new gambling laws. During an event held by The Tourism Committee of the Brazilian Bar Association in Rio de Janeiro members of both the Brazilian Legal Game Institute (IJBL) and the Federation of Convention & Visitors Bureaux of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FCVB / RJ) said it was time change laws so that the state could finally benefit from a fully regulated industry.
Speaking at the event President of the FCVB / RJ, Marco Navega, said that the state was being harmed by delays over gambling laws. Retired judge José Augusto said that it was “time to end this hypocrisy, because the prohibition does not prevent gambling from happening in the country.”
Meanwhile President of the Brazilian Legal Game Institute, Magnho José, said that numerous studies proved that the government was continuing to lose out on millions of potential tax income. “It is inconceivable that an activity that generates about 19 billion reais per year in the country, that the state and society does not receive any compensation.”
According to estimates, the sector has the potential to account for as much as 1 per cent of national GDP.
Specialist in gaming regulation and lawyer Witoldo Hendich Júnior said: “The argument that says that gambling is bad for the country is devoid of science and technical arguments.” He also said that he was opposed to any bill that allowed for the regulation only of casino resorts only, as it would mean that Brazil would lose out on a much larger opportunity to strengthen the economy and generate jobs.
The event comes as a number of attempts are still underway to allow for a widespread expansion of gambling in Brazil. Since the beginning of Brazil’s economic crisis bill PL 442/91 in the House of Deputies and bill PLS 186/2014 in the Senate have both sought to allow for a major expansion of the gaming industry in order to generate much needed revenue for the state, boost jobs, increase tourism and bring gaming out of the black market. PLS 186/2014 resurfaced once again in April after the Senator responsible for drafting the first version of the bill resubmitted it for consideration before the full house. The bill is arguably the widest gaming expansion bill on the table as it would authorise the street lottery known as “the animal game”, casinos, bingo halls and betting nationwide. Crucially it would also allow for online gaming as well.
Caption: President of the Federation of Convention & Visitors Bureaux of the State of Rio de Janeiro Marco Navega
