The request was overturned after senators from the evangelical bench and the right wing spoke out against the text, on the grounds that the vote was not scheduled and would be held after 10pm
This Wednesday (17), by 36 votes to 28, it rejected a request that would place it under an emergency regime and allow voting on the date of the project to release casinos, bingos and Jogo do Bicho in Brazil. As a result, the analysis is postponed until 2026. The request was overturned after senators from the evangelical bench and the right wing spoke out against the text, on the grounds that the vote was not scheduled and would be held after 10pm, on the eve of the parliamentary recess.
PSD and União Brasil voted in favor of the request. PL, Republicans and Novo defended the overthrow. MDB, PT, PSB, PP and PDT have released their benches.
Senators opposed to the project stated that legalization would intensify problems already faced by bettors and encourage corruption and money laundering. “If today we already have a glaring problem with bets, with betting houses, this project is much worse. It is a project that has the DNA of a Spanish group and that will attack the poorest, because there are bingos in the middle”, said Eduardo Girão (Novo-CE).
Proponents of the release said that the ventures would follow the rules and increase tax collection. “To come and tell me that, in a physical casino, with rules, that you can only enter… If the tourist wants to arrive and leave the money in my State, will I say that I am against it? […] We have to review the rule that Congress approved for virtual casinos. That, yes, is the danger”, said Weverton (PDT-MA).
If approved, the project will allow casinos, bingo and video bingo, Jogo do Bicho and online betting to operate in the country. Only people over 18 years of age will be able to visit the places and bet, and it will be up to the public authorities to issue licenses and supervise the sector. To this end, the National Gaming and Betting System will be created, which will bring together the Ministry of Finance, audits and gaming operating companies. Casinos can only operate in resorts or vessels.
The text will also create a 20% taxation on net prizes above R$10,000 paid to bettors, as income tax. The value will be adjusted annually by Selic. Companies operating games will have to pay the Gaming and Betting Inspection Fee to the Treasury every three months.
*With information from Estadão Conteúdo
