The president of the republic, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva declared today that he will sanction the law that authorizes the operation of casinos in Brazil if the text is approved in Congress.
Last Wednesday (19), by 14 votes to 12, the Senate’s Constitution and Justice Committee (CCJ) approved the bill that allows several modalities, such as bingo, Jogo do Bicho and betting on horse races.
The PL allows the installation of casinos in tourist centers or integrated leisure complexes. The list includes high-end hotels (with at least 100 rooms), restaurants, bars and places for meetings and cultural events.
The text, approved by the Chamber of Deputies in February 2022, will still have to be analyzed by the main plenary of the Senate. If the group of senators does not make changes to the proposal and approve it, the project will go to Lula for sanction.
“I’m not in favor of gambling, but I also don’t think it’s a crime. If Congress approves and an agreement is reached between the political parties, there’s no reason to sanction it,” said Lula, in an interview with Meio Norte radio, in Piauí.
The president highlighted the expectation of job creation across the country. “I don’t believe in the saying that, if there is a casino, the poor will spend it. The poor don’t go to the casino. The poor will work at the casino. He can even see his city develop”, added the president.
Ministry of Finance supports casino and bingo proposal
The proposal has the support of the Ministry of Finance, which sees it as a way of generating jobs and revenue. The project’s rapporteur, senator Irajá (PSD-TO), estimates that legalization could generate 700,000 direct jobs and 600,000 indirect jobs.
However, the text should not be voted on by the Senate Plenary immediately. In a meeting with the president of the House, Rodrigo Pacheco, the party leaders decided that the proposal will be debated in a special session and voted on in another committee, such as Economic Affairs.
