Last Wednesday (04), the Senate removed from the agenda the bill that proposes the legalization of casinos, bingos and Jogo do Bicho in Brazil. The postponement, which surprised parliamentarians, occurred after some senators hesitated to take the issue forward.
The impact of article 103 on the debate
The change in the schedule occurred as a result of a warning from the Ministry of Treasury, which expressed concern about article 103 of the project. Technicians argue that this article could create loopholes that would facilitate money laundering.
The article proposes to tax only the gross revenue of companies, excluding other taxes such as PIS/Cofins and IRPJ/CSLL. This could create tax immunity and increase the risk of money laundering, as it would make financial tracking of these companies more difficult.
Experts warn that the lack of tax control can make financial tracking in betting houses difficult, increasing the risk of illicit practices. This scenario generated intense debates in the Senate and made senators reconsider their votes.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Planning released a note recommending the rejection of the project. According to the statement, the project would have “negative social and economic impacts on the Brazilian population, especially in lower income groups”.
Legalization of casinos faces resistance in Congress
Approved by the Chamber in 2022 and by the Senate’s CCJ (Constitution and Justice Committee) in June 2024, the proposal needs 41 votes in the plenary. President Lula has already stated that he will not veto the project if it passes.
Despite this, the matter encounters resistance in several sectors. The evangelical segment, for example, has taken a firm stance against legalization, joining other groups that question the proposal.
The president of the Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco, argues that the regulation of online betting in Brazil must include discussion about physical enterprises, emphasizing the potential benefits in terms of job creation, tourism and increased revenue.
However, the political climate in the plenary was not favorable. Although the group defending the proposal, led by Ciro Nogueira (PP-PI), believed in a narrow victory with 45 votes, last-minute opposing speeches indicated that the account would not close that day.
Faced with doubts raised by senators and new questions from the Ministries of Health and Social Development, rapporteur Irajá (PSD-TO) chose to remove the project from the agenda. The proposal will be reviewed and sent for analysis to three Senate committees before returning to the plenary.
“The climate has changed,” Senator Irajá admitted to the press after the session. As a result, the debate on the legalization of casinos and bingos in Brazil continues without a definitive date for voting, but promises to continue dividing opinions in Congress in 2025.
