Brazil’s senate delays debate on land based gambling bill
By a vote of 36 to 28, the Plenary rejected, on Wednesday (17), a request for urgency regarding the vote on the bill that authorizes the operation of casinos and bingo halls in Brazil and legalizes "jogo do bicho" (an illegal street lottery). With this decision, the proposal will follow the regular legislative process.
By a vote of 36 to 28, the Plenary rejected, on Wednesday (17), a request for urgency regarding the vote on the bill that authorizes the operation of casinos and bingo halls in Brazil and legalizes “jogo do bicho” (an illegal street lottery). With this decision, the proposal will follow the regular legislative process.
The announcement of the vote on PL 2.234/2022 was made at the beginning of the last deliberative session of the year by the president of the Senate, Davi Alcolumbre.
Previously approved in the Chamber of Deputies, the project received a favourable vote from the rapporteur, Senator Irajá Silvestre, who accepted suggested amendments and proposed adjustments.
As reported by the Senate News Agency, the bill has been under analysis in the Senate since 2022. The text was approved by the Committee on Constitution and Justice (CCJ) on June 19, 2024, and has since been awaiting a vote in the Plenary. The original proposal was introduced in the Chamber in 1991 by ex-Congressman Renato Vianna (PL 442/1991).
Members of Congress opposed to the bill, particularly from the evangelical caucus, argued that the project could encourage gambling addiction and crimes such as money laundering, trafficking, and prostitution.
“This matter is controversial. Gambling leads to widespread debt among the population, diverting money from productive activities to magnates . . .” stated Senator Eduardo Girão.
Senator Weverton Rocha however, defended the bill’s vote. “I find it hypocritical for a country as large as Brazil, with so many tourist areas like Maranhão, to be against casinos. I’m not an addict or a gambler. Physical casinos, with their rules, will generate taxes for my state, and I’m supposed to say I’m against it? We need to reconsider rules for online casinos, but not for physical casinos, which have strict access and gaming regulations,” he said.
The text revokes the prohibition imposed in 1946, which banned the exploitation of gambling throughout the country, and modifies the law on misdemeanour offenses, which establishes punishments for these activities.
The project provides for the creation of a system for supervision and regulation to ensure the safety and transparency of gaming and betting activities, in addition to preventing crimes such as money laundering and financing of terrorism. Expected impacts include an increase in tourism, job creation, and encouragement of regional economic development, greater control and regulation of the gaming and betting market, and the establishment of policies to address issues related to player protection measures.
