The president of the Chamber of Deputies, Arthur Lira intends to put the bill on the release of casinos and other types of gambling to a vote this Thursday, 16. The intention is to achieve the urgent character for the project this week.
According to an article on the UOL portal, Lira has the support of deputies linked to the tourism sector, however, she suffers from the opposition of evangelical benches, public security and health. The first attempt took place on Monday, the 13th, but it went no further.
The text is from a report by Felipe Carreras based on a 1991 project and several proposals made in the last three decades. After an assessment by a working group, the federal deputy drafted a text that provides for the release of casinos, gambling machines, bingos, video-bingos, online games and horse racing bets (in horse racing).
In an article published on Thursday, Portal Uol presented a detailed overview of the situation in the Chamber regarding the release of games in the country. Check out the material in full:
House insists on vote on casinos despite opposition from evangelicals
In a tight week, with rushed votes, the president of the Chamber, Arthur Lira (PP-AL), tries for the second time to vote on the legalization of casinos and other games of chance this Thursday (16). The idea is to approve the urgency of a text written by Congressman Felipe Lyra Carreras (PSB-PE) this week.
Lira has the support of deputies linked to the tourism industry, but faces opposition from evangelicals and part of the health and public safety bench. “There is no agreement, but there is a lot of conversation,” said Arthur Lira on Wednesday (15).
On Monday (13), the president of the Chamber tried to put the project to a vote, but there was resistance from evangelicals. “The thesis does not have a closed position, in support or against, but it is agreed with the leaders to discuss and work on this issue,” stated Lira. “There is the possibility, proposed by the opposition, which is to open the discussion, adjust the text, close the discussion and vote next year.”
The proposal is a report by Felipe Carreras based on a 1991 project and a series of other proposals presented in the last 30 years. After the analysis of a working group, he made a text that legalizes casinos, gaming machines, bingos, video-bingos, online gambling and horse racing betting (on horse racing).
The Jogo do Bicho is out of authorization. Lotteries would remain the responsibility of the federal government.
Gambling move BRL 27 billion, says reporter
The report obtained the fifth version of Felipe Carreras’ report. In it, the deputy highlighted that illegal games move R$ 2 billion, according to an estimate made by a colleague of his, deputy Victório Galli, in 2018.
The objective of regulating this market, “should not be underestimated, especially due to the potential social and economic impacts arising from the activity”, wrote Carreras.
At a time when 13.7 million Brazilians are affected by the lack of work, this House cannot refrain from approving a proposal that has gigantic job creation capacity.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfLT4H73lyUOpposition sees “trouble” and possible money laundry
Opposition leader Alessandro Molon (PSB-RJ), from the same party as the bill’s rapporteur, is against the proposal. He believes that the legalization of games does not pass the plenary, starting with the fact that the analysis of a “subject of this gravity” is done in a hurry.
“There is no climate to vote on this,” said Molon on Wednesday (15), in the green room at the Chamber. “The consequences of gambling are not trivial. This idea that it generates employment and income is false. This money that goes to gambling, when you legalize it, could go to productive activities. What does gambling produce, in terms of wealth? “
The congressman mentioned to the report the criminal problems arising from the legalization of casinos, such as money laundering.
In the same green room at the Chamber, federal police commented on the proposal. Subject to reservation, they highlighted that Fenapef (Federal Police Federation) declared itself against the legalization of gambling due to the impossibility of supervising the activity. The positioning is from 2017, but, according to them, the arguments are still valid.
Our group will obstruct, says Evangelical
Deputy Lincoln Portela (PL-MG) says that there is strength in the evangelical bench to obstruct the votes. But, even if the urgency is approved, he does not believe that the legalization will be approved, precisely because of the religious parliamentary fronts.
On Monday, the obstruction was announced by the future president of the Evangelical caucus, Sóstenes Cavalcante (DEM-RJ). The movement was successful: the proposal was not voted on that day.
Portela emphasizes that part of the health bench is also against, the same understanding of deputy Alice Portugal (PCdoB-BA). Another one who sees the vote unfeasible is former minister and deputy Aguinaldo Ribeiro (PP-PB). “The evangelical bench will not allow it”, summarized Ribeiro.
We’ve already discussed 30 years, says leader
The leader of the Republicans, Hugo Motta (PB), disagrees with his colleagues. For him, there is a climate for voting on the legalization of gambling. In addition, the debate has been going on for 30 years.
“I think the urgency can be approved,” Motta told UOL. “It’s been discussed. It’s been discussed for 30 years.” If you don’t argue now, will you argue when? Let’s vote. If it’s to lose…”
Deputy Lafayette Andrada (Republicans-MG) also sees a climate for approval. “Today, there is an understanding of the need to legalize gambling in the House,” he said. For the parliamentarian, despite possible obstruction, there are enough votes to approve.
The government will still be consulted on the issue, Ricardo Barros (PP-PR), leader in the Chamber, told the report.
