According to the Legal Gaming Institute (Jogo Legal), gaming generates
close to USD 6.2 billion per year, with USD 3.72 thanks to the popular local
game "jogo do bicho”, which does not pay even a penny in taxes. Based on the
data, the president of the organization, Magno Sousa, defends the
regularization.
"To withdraw
an activity from the illegality, attract new investments, regularize current
jobs and generate new ones (we estimate 150,000 new jobs). Just only that justifies
the legalization of the activity," said Sousa.
Among the ones
that does not support the project, one of the main criticisms is the
possibility of increasing gaming addiction. The rapporteur of the bill, Senator
Fernando Bezerra (PSB -PE), explains that the text predicts that tax resources
will be earmarked for health precisely for this purpose.
"All the money coming from bingos or casinos activities will be destined
to the health budget and must have a heading intended for the treatment of gaming
addiction.”
The Federal Public Office argues that today the country does not have a
structure for the control and supervision of bingos and casinos that will be
opened, which would allow an increase in money laundering. But the expert on
the subject, Luiz Felipe Maia -lawyer partner of the FYMSA office- says that
this position shows ignorance of the subject.
"There is no discussion about having a prosecutor in every bingo. There
are much simpler and efficient ways. It is enough that regulator body requires
that all betting systems to be online. Every system is connected directly with
the Government in real time. "
