The president of the Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco (PSD-MG) received a tough message from President Lula (PT) about the Casinos PL.
The government wants the bill that provides for the release of land-based casinos, bingo, horse racing betting and other modalities to be voted on this month, before the parliamentary recess.
According to some sources heard by CNN, “there is no chance of that happening”.
Resistance
The vote remains paralyzed, mainly due to the so-called religious group that is strong among the senators. The proposal is precisely for the authorization and operation of casinos, bingos and even Jogo do Bicho in Brazil.
The text has already been approved by the Constitution and Justice Commission (CCJ), but has not yet been sent to the Plenary.
The project’s rapporteur, senator Irajá (PSD-TO), keeps going around the Esplanada looking for support. According to research carried out by the senator, games can generate up to R$22 billion over time.
Technicians from the Ministry of Justice expressed concerns about the legalization of Jogo do Bicho and other similar games. This game release environment has some negative points, such as the risk of addiction.
Furthermore, opposition senators are not convinced. They question the promised economic benefits and fear the possible negative impacts on society.
Federal Government bets
But, on the other hand, the positive points are quite attractive and the government is banking on these arguments to convince parliamentarians. Below are the benefits that the population may have received from the bill.
- Revenue: Estimated R$22 billion in revenue over the years.
- Tourism: The expectation that casinos and bingos can boost tourism and generate jobs.
- Control: The promise of strict control and regulation of gaming to prevent problems such as addiction and organized crime.
For Pacheco, there is no rush to vote on the Cassinos PL
For the president of the Senate, there is no rush to consider the casino project. “This topic has completed the committee phase, now it’s time to actually find a date to discuss it in the plenary session of the Federal Senate. This topic has already been sufficiently thought out, who is in favor and who is against”, said the president of the Senate.
Therefore, when asked about the possibility of voting on the project before the recess, Pacheco was clear in mentioning other priorities.
“There’s no need to rush into this. We can vote perfectly well after the recess. But it will be voted on, because, having passed through the Chamber, through the CCJ of the Senate, there is a pre-disposition from the Executive that we have to measure for the vote,” he concluded.
