The bill is coming up for review this week, but lawmakers expect to postpone discussion
Gambling opponents in Brazil continue efforts to postpone advancing Bill 2.234/2022, which authorizes one casino project per state and the Federal District. São Paulo would be allowed up to three casinos, with Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, Amazonas, and Pará, limited to two per state.
Lawmakers agreed to withdraw the bill after the rapporteur, Senator Irajá, was absent from the session. Those opposed to the legislation have previously declared they will request to discuss it further to delay the vote.Â
CCJ president Senator Davi Alcolumbre stated that after the bill undergoes further discussion, a vote will commence on June 5, as not all lawmakers will attend the semi-virtual 29th session next week. Alcolumbre says the measure was presented to the Constitution and Justice Committee on May 10, 2023, and cannot be delayed further.
Approved in the Chamber of Deputies under Bill 442/91, the proposal also legalizes gambling on maritime vessels under special regulations. The venues must show a minimum paid-up share capital of R$ 100 million ($19.64 million) and will be authorized for 30 years.
Live and electronic bingo game regulations allow one legal facility per 700,000 residents in each state to sell the “jogo do bicho” lottery game. Renewable licenses will be granted for a 25-year term. Horse racing turf venues authorized by the Ministry of Agriculture can also host live and video bingo games.
Irajá disregarded the morality argument as a “vague legal concept” in his report and stressed that the undertaking seeks to bring the activity that’s presently a misdemeanor under state authority. Noting statistics on the illegal gambling market in Brazil, Irajá believes that “gambling is already a relevant economic activity.”
