The Senate’s evangelical contingent is mobilizing to veto Bill (PL) 2,234/22, known as Casinos PL, which legalizes gaming in the country. The project, approved by the Chamber of Deputies in 2022, has already been discussed in a thematic debate session of the Senate that took place last August.
Evangelical deputies opposed to PL 2,234/22 faced a significant challenge. Firstly, they were unable to prevent its approval in the Chamber Plenary. Later, in June of this year, they were also unsuccessful in the Senate’s Constitution, Justice and Citizenship Committee (CCJ).
Despite rumors that the project would be voted on shortly after the first round of elections, the Press Office of the Senate Presidency reported that there was no confirmation that the President of the House, Rodrigo Pacheco, had made such a statement.
Resistance from the evangelical bench
Senator Magno Malta (PL-ES) highlighted that the Evangelical Parliamentary Front (FPE) is working together internally and with other parliamentarians to block the Bill. For Malta, the legalization of casinos could have disastrous consequences for Brazilian society.
“I am firmly opposed to the legalization of gambling in Brazil, as this would lead to negative social and economic consequences, such as an increase in crime, the exploitation of the most vulnerable and the risks of addiction, among others”, declared the parliamentarian.
During the debate session, the president of the Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco, recognized the complexity of the proposition, which covers economic and social aspects.
“We must carefully evaluate possible benefits, such as generating jobs and revenue for the Brazilian State, but also the risks and challenges, including preventing money laundering and combating organized crime, in addition to the social and public health problem related to gambling addiction [addiction in games]”, highlighted Pacheco.
Senator Damares Alves (Republicanos-DF) also spoke, warning of the risks of money laundering by criminal factions and bicheiros.
“What brings me most to this debate is the issue of corruption and money laundering. We have technical notes from the PGR [Attorney General’s Office] and the PF [Federal Police], from 2017, which already highlighted this concern.”
“I think they are still valid and we can ask these bodies again if they have changed their position, if Brazil has improved its control bodies. This concern is still very current”, highlighted Damares.
Tramitação
PL 2,234/22 is being processed in the Senate, awaiting action. According to the Senate Presidency’s Office, when the proposal was dispatched to the CCJ, in June, amendments were presented to the project. The project was redistributed to the rapporteur, senator Irajá (PSD-TO), who will issue a new report.
The CCJ will vote on the proposal again. The project will then be forwarded to the Plenary for a vote. However, the fate of the Casinos PL could change. If they approve a specific request, senators will be able to direct the project to another committee.