On his Linkedin profile, Loterj president Hazenclever Lopes Cançado spoke about the withdrawal of the vote on the bill that legalizes gambling in land-based spaces, such as casinos and bingo halls, from the Senate’s agenda. The vote was scheduled for last Tuesday (8).
The bill was removed from the voting agenda by Senate President Davi Alcolumbre. Bill No. 2,234/2022 provides for the legalization of casinos, bingo halls, and jogo do bicho in Brazil, as well as the regulation of horse racing betting.
“The withdrawal of the Casino Bill from the Senate agenda this Tuesday (8) was a setback that needs to be taken seriously. A decision that postpones concrete solutions, negatively impacts job creation, discourages investment and keeps Brazil stuck in an outdated model,” it published.
Furthermore, Hazenclever also made it clear that the sector will continue to pressure Congress. “I deeply regret this retreat, but we remain steadfast in the fight. Hope remains, and the conviction is even stronger: Brazil must face this debate with courage and responsibility.”
According to the president, he also went personally to Brasília to discuss the matter and expected the senators’ commitment.
Loterj President went to Brasilia to discuss the Casino Bill
“I was in Brasília on that very day, in a meeting with several senators, including Irajá, the bill’s rapporteur, Rogério Carvalho, and Laércio Oliveira — leaders attentive to this transformative agenda.”
“What we saw there was clarity, willingness, and a sense of urgency. An unequivocal commitment to regulating gaming as a tool for economic and social development.”
According to the president, despite differing—and never conflicting—views, there was complete convergence on the essentials. Furthermore, this is a strategic step toward unlocking investment, generating millions of jobs, strengthening tourism, and increasing revenue without raising taxes.
According to reports, the withdrawal from the agenda does not end the debate; quite the contrary, it merely reinforces the sector’s need for a firmer stance. “Brazil can no longer live under the cloak of inaction, while billions of reais are lost through informality,” he wrote in his post.
“The time has come to choose between backwardness and progress. Between fear and responsibility. Regulating gaming is no longer an option—it is an urgent necessity. And we will move forward, with firmness and commitment, until Brazil finally says yes to the future we so richly deserve,” he concluded.
Reason for withdrawing the bill from the Senate agenda
The President of the House, Davi Alcolumbre, justified the withdrawal from the agenda: reduced quorum, the division among senators and requests from party leaders.
According to him: “There is certainly a division in the Senate on this issue. Given the quorum of 56 senators, the significant divergence on this matter, and the requests from senators who would like to be present at the vote, this presidency will withdraw this item ex officio.”
