Last Saturday (09) Dom Odilo Pedro Scherer wrote an opinion article in Estadão regarding the betting sector. The religious is a Brazilian cardinal, nineteenth bishop of São Paulo, being its seventh archbishop and fifth cardinal.
He also currently serves as Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo (PUC-SP).
Despite the controversy regarding betting games, it is important to highlight that the recently approved law separates a percentage of revenue for public coffers, which could generate new direct and indirect jobs.
In addition, the regulation of online betting also requires companies in the sector to promote responsible gambling and only for adults, as well as allocating part of the revenue to public policies to combat excessive gambling.
However, it is worth mentioning that before the release of online games in December 2018, Brazilians were already placing bets legally on various lottery modalities.
Therefore, check out the cardinal’s full article below.
A dangerous bet
Bill (PL) 442/1991, on the legalization of gambling, has been in progress in the National Congress for over 30 years. After several unsuccessful attempts at approval, PL 442/91 was once again resumed with full force and has already passed through the Chamber of Deputies, waiting to be considered and voted on in the Senate.
Apparently, in addition to pressure from groups interested in the legalization of gambling in Brazil, this time the search for revenue for the treasury could bring a favorable wind to the activists of the cause. In fact, one of the arguments invoked is that the approval of PL 442/91 could contribute to meeting the government’s revenue targets.
What would be the problem and what harm would there be in legalizing gambling? Some invoke respect for individual freedom and that the State should not prohibit this practice, leaving citizens the freedom to choose what they want to do or not do.
However, it ignores this argument that the practice of gambling often leads to a compulsive passion and an extremely harmful dependence on gambling. Ludopathy, or gambling disease, is difficult to treat and its outcome, after causing a lot of suffering for others, leads to economic and social frustration and, not infrequently, suicide.
It is also argued that other countries, where gambling is legal, derive tourist benefits from this practice. And then one thinks of Las Vegas, Monte Carlo and other gambling paradises. Would this be a promising bet for Brazil? It seems unlikely, as the significant tourist flow does not go through casinos and gambling places, but it attracts much more those who live nearby. Without forgetting that there are many other points of interest for mass tourism. Brazil has no shortage of wonderful tourism potential, without the need for gambling.
Why not legalize gambling, since it also happens clandestinely, without tax benefits? In response, a new question arises: who ensures that, when gambling is legalized, misdemeanors, illegal gambling and money laundering will be effectively curbed? It is known that the underworld of gambling is dominated by strong illegal groups who will certainly be reluctant to give up such promising fields of easy gain. In a similar way, the legalization of the cigarette trade did not put an end to its clandestine trade in Brazil.
It would seem reasonable to legalize gambling, since it is an unstoppable practice. But, barely comparing, one may wonder whether the solution to tax diversion would be the legalization of this practice. An illegal, illicit and harmful practice, which causes serious harm and human suffering, does not become good through legalization.
Is the expectation that gambling activities will bring new economic initiatives real? Certainly, jobs and taxes can be generated. But, on the other hand, there will be economic activities seriously threatened and even destroyed by gambling. There is no shortage of stories of personal and business economic failures due to a passion for gambling. Furthermore, the game that is intended to be legalized will not be an economic activity open to new entrepreneurs, since it already has powerful owners.
The risk of an increase in organized crime, money laundering and crimes against individuals cannot be ignored. Ludopathy does not only cause problems for those who engage in this activity, but also for many other people.
The legalization of gambling can generate enormous profits for the gaming industry itself, but it will socialize immense costs for society, which will have to take care of the losers, not only of their money and assets, swallowed by the tempting machines selling illusions, but also mental health and the loss of their social and productive place. Let no one have any illusions: the State and society will be called upon to pay the bill for so many newly deprived people who have lost their assets and much more.
Honestly, what advantage would Brazil and the Brazilian people have with the legalization of yet another type of psychological and moral drug, capable of claiming victims and causing damage and suffering? Isn’t the harm caused by the unrestrained consumption of narcotics enough, with the entire package of evils it spreads?
Who is interested in the legalization of gambling and who expects to benefit greatly from it? Even with the mention of some possible tax advantages, it is necessary to carefully weigh the disadvantages that the legalization of this activity will end up bringing to the State and society. Instead of being legalized, evils must be prevented and suppressed.
