“As far as I know, Bolsonaro's staff had consented, they were well aligned, they had understood the reason to open this sector and this is the type of project I am working on. The important thing is to reach a common consensus, most of all now that this pandemic has an extraordinarily strong side effect attacking health and punishing the economy. One of the perfectly possible, viable and even necessary alternatives we can do to help recover the economy after the pandemic is over is to legalize the gambling sector,” explained the deputy.
Mattos stressed that the casinos, bingos and the local popular ‘jogo do bicho’ must have rules to function formally. He commented that the tax resources of this market need to be directed to health and education sectors.
“We will continue to work because this is an agenda that is important for the country economically, socially, in terms of health and tourism; and mainly to rebuild the economy after the coronavirus passes. I keep betting on this,” promised de Mattos in the interview on Rádio Spaço 100.9 FM that continued with some questions:
Rádio Spaço 100.9 FM – What stage is this project at?
Deputy Pompeo de Mattos - It is enough for the President of the Republic and the Minister of Tourism, to say: “I want to.” The Chamber is ready and in 10 days it could be included in the aenda. It only takes to be responsible and say: "Look here, let's put this on!". There are so many projects, studies and other things that have been looked at, revised, corrected, improved, that there is nothing more to discuss, it is simply detailing some minor issues that are missing and voting. It's a very quick thing. Now, do you know what we really need? Political will. And it is possible that this will happen after the pandemic because perhaps the gaming sector can help to improve and oxygenate the economy, generating taxes and income for the government.
What would be allowed? The return of the casinos and what else?
I think all modalities should be released, with very objective rules. In certain circumstances the casino for more touristy places, then bingos which is a different situation, machines that are something else and the jogo do bicho, which is everywhere. Those who are listening to me now on the radio are playing and those who said they never played are lying, because ‘jogo do bicho’ is people's game. It is a mistake to keep talking, it is forbidden, it is a criminal offense, it can, it cannot. Meanwhile, everybody is betting and they will continue doing it for a lifetime.
What I want is to regulate, legalize, collect taxes and make it work formally by improving the relationship between the gambler, the manager, the retailer, the taxpayer, give them whatever name you want, the entrepreneur, with the public sector paying taxes, generating jobs. To sum up, let’s formalize an activity that is as old as the history of the Republic itself, because before Brazil became a republic, the ‘jogo do bicho’ already existed.
How should the government use the revenue generated from gaming?
Health and education, I have no doubts. It fuels tourism. You can bet, it feeds tourism strongly only with the installation and structuring of the gaming sector. And as a practical result, objective due to tax contributions and all circumstances, this resource must be used for health and education. And as we are in need of money for health now in midst of the pandemic, have no doubt that later we will continue to need it.
Source: GMB / SPAÇO 100.9 FM
