Zona de Azar Brazil – Brazil: Constitution and Justice Committee Discusses Project to Expand Gambling
Brazil.- 16th April 2024 www.zonadeazar.com The Constitution and Justice Committee (CCJ) has a meeting scheduled for this Wednesday (17), at 10 am, with 20 items on the agenda.
One of them is the project that expands the range of authorized gambling games in the country (PL 2.234/2022). From former Deputy Renato Vianna (MDB-SC), the project authorizes, among other modalities, the operation of casinos and bingo halls, legalizes animal “jogo do bicho,” and allows bets on horse racing. The rapporteur, Senator Irajá (PSD-TO), is favorable to the matter.
The text authorizes the installation of casinos in tourist hubs or integrated leisure complexes, with the limit of one casino in each state and the Federal District, with the exception of São Paulo, which could have up to three casinos, and Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Amazonas, and Pará, where the limit for each state is two casinos. According to the proposal, gaming houses may also operate on maritime and river vessels, which will follow specific rules. The casino must demonstrate a minimum subscribed capital of at least R$100 million and may be accredited for 30 years.
The proposition also establishes rules for bingo games in card and electronic modalities, and allows in each state the accreditation of one legal entity for every 700 thousand inhabitants for the exploitation of the “jogo do bicho.”
In this case, authorizations will be valid for 25 years, renewable for an equal period. Horse racing may be exploited by turf entities (linked to turf) accredited by the Ministry of Agriculture, which may also exploit bingo and video bingo games simultaneously.
In his report, Irajá dismissed as “indeterminate legal concept” that of offense to morality and good customs, used as an argument against gambling, and emphasized that the project aims to transfer to the control of the State a practice that currently constitutes an offense.
Citing statistics on the legal or illegal betting market, Irajá concludes that “gambling already constitutes a relevant economic activity.” The rapporteur rejected the amendments offered by senators and proposed a drafting amendment replacing references to the “Ministry of Economy” with “Ministry of Finance.”
In his report, Irajá dismissed as “indeterminate legal concept” that of offense to morality and good customs, used as an argument against gambling, and emphasized that the project aims to transfer to the control of the State a practice that currently constitutes an offense.
Citing statistics on the legal or illegal betting market, Irajá concludes that “gambling already constitutes a relevant economic activity.” The rapporteur rejected the amendments offered by senators and proposed a drafting amendment replacing references to the “Ministry of Economy” with “Ministry of Finance.”
Edited by: @MaiaDigital www.zonadeazar.com
