The proposed tax reduction for betting houses is an alternative advocated as an increase in revenue in Belo Horizonte. The city’s mayor, Álvaro Damião (União Brasil), defended the proposal. “These companies already exist and are located somewhere. What we want is not to bring betting houses to BH, but rather the revenue generated by their CNPJ,” said the mayor, Wednesday (6).
According to the mayor, the change in legislation aims to make Belo Horizonte more attractive, thus preventing companies from setting up shop in other cities with lower taxes. “People get confused. It’s not about encouraging gambling houses. It’s about generating revenue. This revenue can be used to build health centers, invest in education, and invest in security,” he explained.
The mayor’s bill (PL) that provides for the reduction of the Tax on Services of Any Nature (ISSQN) rate for companies in the betting sector, known as “bets”, has been in the Belo Horizonte City Council since July 24. The proposal calls for a reduction of the rate from 5% to 2%.
Last Wednesday (30), councilor Wagner Ferreira (PV) filed 25 requests for information to various municipal departments and agencies. The requests ask for clarification on any possible relationship between the Belo Horizonte city hall and betting companies.
Furthermore, it questions whether there are institutional programs to raise public awareness about the risk of gambling addiction and inquires about the existence of sporting events supported by the city government that are sponsored by betting houses. However, there is still no estimate of when the project will begin its progress in the City Council committees.
Public hearing on betting in Belo Horizonte
Sportsbooks will be the subject of a public debate at the City Council. A hearing of the Health and Sanitation Committee is scheduled for August 26th, at 10:00 am, in the Camil Caram Plenary.
Representatives from the Executive Branch and agencies and entities related to the health sector will be invited to participate in the dialogue. Interested parties can attend the meeting in person or watch it live on the CMBH website or YouTube channel.
