Electronic or virtual games may be included among the sports practices legally recognized by the Pelé Law (Law 9.615 / 98). Proposed for this purpose (PL 3450/15) was presented by Representative JHC, from PSB of Alagoas, who explains the importance of the theme:
"In Brazil, games are taxed more than firearms. You have a part of the population, especially the new generation, that is in direct contact, that have a relationship with this virtual environment, but that, while other countries I mean, it is present in the lives of thousands of young Brazilians. And if we can understand it better, we can understand what the positive factors are, and we can also minimize the negative factors."
The parliamentarian points out that Brazil has more than 7 million virtual enthusiasts and that the sector has a prominent place in the economy:
"If you can imagine, worldwide, the activity generated 1.5 billion dollars in 2017 alone. You can imagine the size of the gaming force worldwide."
Deputy JHC answers on the hypothesis that approving the proposal could mean a path to the legalization of cash games and virtual casinos:
" The interpretation [of the future law] would never be given in this way. Our interpreters, our judges, if using legislation to that effect, would certainly have judicially, its claim or its unconstitutionality or use of such legislation for any purpose, would be prohibited immediately. I think that making the spirit clear, what it is, has nothing to do with this kind of game."
According to data from CBDEL, the Brazilian Confederation of Electronic Sports, there are 21 federations affiliated in the states, with 3,230 registered informal athletes and five official championships.
The proposal that includes the virtual games among legally recognized sports practices is in conjunction with a similar one, written by Mariana Carvalho, MP of the PSDB of Rondônia. Both will be analyzed by the Sports commissions; and Constitution and Justice, but do not need to be voted on by the House Plenary.
Source: GMB / Câmara.gov
