While Congress still discusses bills that can legalize gambling in Brazil, bingo owners open establishments in Porto Alegre. In the last two months, clear signs have begun to appear in the capital of Rio Grande do Sul indicating places of games where previously discreet doors operated illegaly.
There are at least four bingo cards and dozens of slot machine shops. The opening of the bingos happens after decisions of the Recursal Criminal Class of Rio Grande do Sul according to which the exploration of the game does not constitute criminal contravention. The argument is that the law that defines gambling as a criminal offense of 1941 is not compatible with other principles of the 1988 Constitution.
The Public Prosecutor's Office questioned the courts and appealed to the STF (Supreme Federal Court). In October, ministers of the Court recognized that there was a "general repercussion" of the issue, a controversial issue that involves an important constitutional matter and deserves analysis by the Court.
While the judgment in the STF does not take place, the local court's decision is valid that the practice of gambling, at least temporarily, is not considered a criminal contravention in the State, which would free those involved. There is no scheduled date for judgment in the Supreme Court.
One of the houses that opened ostensibly in Porto Alegre was the bingo Coliseum and Rome, located in the district Azenha. One of the houses that opened the doors ostensibly was the bingo Coliseum and Rome. "We made labor and tax adjustments," says his lawyer, Laerte Gschwenter. "We believe in a favorable decision and we even have an expansion project," says Sérgio Garcês, owner of bingo.
Source: GMB / Folhapress
