Bill PL 2234/2022, which aims to legalize casinos, bingo and betting in Brazil, will not be voted on by the Senate Plenary this semester. The decision came after a meeting between party leaders and the president of the Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco.
It was decided that the proposal, already approved by the Constitution and Justice Committee (CCJ), will be analyzed by the Economic Affairs Committee (CAE) and debated in a special session in the Plenary.
Project details and economic impacts
The leader of the MDB, senator Eduardo Braga (AM), emphasized the need to analyze the project based on concrete data. Thus, as the potential creation of jobs and tax collection.
“What are the possible gains from approving the project? Whether from the point of view of economic growth, job creation, income generation, taxes, and how these taxes will finance important public policies”, stated Braga.
Proponents of the proposal estimate that the legalization of betting could result in R$100 billion in investments. In this way, creating 1.5 million jobs and generating annual revenue of R$22 billion.
Controversies and risks
However, the project faces opposition from the evangelical bench. Senator Eduardo Girão (Novo-CE) warned about the risks associated with legalization, including the increase in money laundering and the strengthening of organized crime.
“At a time when we have gas stations and a large part of them have organized crime washing them, we cannot open this gate because it also devastates the family, it is addiction, it is a serious problem,” said Girão.
Structure and regulation of casinos and bingos
The project, originating from the Chamber of Deputies, authorizes the installation of casinos in tourist centers, resorts and high-end hotels. However, with a limit of three establishments in São Paulo, two in Rio de Janeiro, Amazonas and Pará, and one in the other states.
Bingos will be able to operate permanently in specific locations, managed by companies with a minimum share capital of R$10 million.
The project provides for the regulation of Jogo do Bicho, with one accredited company for every 700,000 inhabitants per state. The proposal also includes the creation of two specific taxes for these establishments.
President Lula assured today that he will sanction the proposal if approved in Congress.
“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,” he said in an interview with Meio Norte radio, in Piauí.
