The Senate's Constitution, Justice and Citizenship Committee (CCJ) rejected, at the beginning of this month, by 13 dissenting votes and two favorable ones, Bill No. 186/2014, authored by Senator Ciro Nogueira (PP-PI), which deals with the topic. One of the biggest proponents of approval is Tourism Minister Marx Beltrão, who said that the body "looks very favorably at the legalization of casinos, as they already exist elsewhere in the world." Proponents of approval argue that casinos will stimulate the influx of tourists and capital into the country, generating more jobs and revenue.
Estimated figures
Judging by the numbers, presented in the defense arguments in Congress, exploitation will bring substantial profits. In the accounts of Senator Ciro Nogueira, it will be possible for the public power to raise R$15 billion (USD4.15bn) with taxation. Already the rapporteur of the project, Senator Fernando Bezerra Coelho (PMDB-PE), estimates R$29 billion (USD8.75bn) in three years, a figure not negligible.
Jabuti on the tree
In the Chamber of Deputies, some parliamentarians intend to include an article in the bill of Congressman Carlos Eduardo Cadoca (PDT-PE), which they already call "tree jabuti", because the original project deals with the participation of foreign capital with voting rights in air transport companies, which in reality has nothing to do with the liberation of casinos and the exploitation of gaming. The proposal has the discreet sympathy of the Presidents of the Republic, Michel Temer (PMDB); of the Senate, Eunício Oliveira (PMDB-CE); and of the Chamber, Rodrigo Maia, besides the majority of the governors. All focused on tax collection.
Brazil already has legalized gaming
Gaming in the country was banned on April 30, 1946, by a decree of President Eurico Gaspar Dutra, who, just three months after taking office, resurrected an act of 1941, by Getúlio Vargas, which prohibited any type of gaming in Brazil. Now, after seven decades, there are chances that Congress will release so-called games of chance: roulettes, bingos, slot machines, lotteries, jogo do bicho, among others. On the front line of legalization is the "centão", with the block of parties like PP, PTB and PRB, and the sympathy of other parties, even of the PMDB. The Association of Auditors of the Federal Revenue (Anfip) has already announced that it does not have "the minimum condition to supervise", if gaming is legalized. Along the same lines is the Financial Activities Control Council. Against the time, in electoral year, it remains to wait to see if the "jabuti" rises even in the tree and if the project will be approved.
Source: GMB / Edgar Lisboa Repórter Brasília - Jornal do Comércio
