The federal government has differing positions on the bill that proposes the legalization of casinos and gambling. Thus, the president of the Senate, Davi Alcolumbre, postponed the analysis of the proposal this Tuesday (8).
The text authorizes the installation of casinos in tourist centers and leisure complexes, in addition to repealing the law that criminalizes the animal game, in force since 1946.
The Ministries of Treasury and Tourism believe the measure could increase federal revenue and strengthen the tourism sector. However, ministries linked to social issues express concern about the project’s potential impacts.
The Health and Social Development departments warn of the risks of gambling addiction, a term used for gaming addiction, and the impact on the income of families served by the Bolsa Família Program.
At the same time, the political maneuvering faced considerable resistance from evangelical parliamentarians. In June of the previous year, President Lula stated that he would sign the bill if it were approved by the National Congress.
Resistance from evangelical parliamentarians regarding the legalization of casinos
The bill faces ideological resistance from senators linked to conservative agendas. In a letter published on July 2, evangelical leaders threatened to “snitch” on lawmakers who supported the proposal.
Senator Irajá, the rapporteur of the matter and a member of the Social Democratic Party of Tocantins (PSD-TO), encountered resistance within his own party, particularly from senators such as Vanderlan Cardoso, Eliziane Gama and Zenaide Maia, who identify with the evangelical bloc.
Due to a lack of quorum, Davi Alcolumbre decided to withdraw the bill from the agenda. A vote date has not yet been set.
