The senators who argue that gambling in Brazil should continue to operate illegally are seeking a way to prolong the discussion and delay its arrival at the Plenary. The matter may be voted on this Wednesday (15) in the Senate's Committee on Constitution and Justice, but some lawmakers want the PL 2.234/22, which legalizes casinos, bingos, animal game betting, and turf betting to be submitted to three more committees of the House.
The discussion in the Plenary this Tuesday (14) of a request – which was not scheduled – to submit the project that authorizes the operation of casinos, bingos, animal game betting, and horse racing (PL 2.234/2022) to three more Senate committees was marked by criticism of the possibility of expanding the legalization of gambling in the country.
The request is nothing more than a maneuver by senators who turn a blind eye to the reality that it is an economic activity with a strong social reach due to the formal jobs to be generated, investments of billions of dollars, and the collection of as much in taxes.
In it, Senator Eliziane Gama (PSD-MA) requests that the matter – which may be voted on this Wednesday (14) in the Committee on Constitution and Justice (CCJ) in a terminative character – also proceed in the committees on Economic Affairs (CAE), Social Affairs (CAS), and Public Security (CSP).
In defending her request, Eliziane expressed concern about what she called the “statute of gambling” and the worsening of gambling addiction. She cited statistics from the United States that indicate a negative impact on public safety, mental health, and social security in places that authorize casinos.
“The justification that we will make revenue does not hold up. Down the line, the result is in health, in security. In other words: it's entering on one side and exiting, in large quantity, on the other”, she warned.
Senator Zenaide Maia (PSD-RN) declared her vote against the legalization of gambling, saying she is against addictions of any kind. She also stated that the tax revenue from gambling houses will not compensate for the losses to families. “If you want to destroy a young person's life, give them an addiction”, she defined.
Senator Eduardo Girão (Novo-CE), who supported the expansion of the debate to other committees, said it is an inappropriate time to discuss casinos when Rio Grande do Sul is suffering a tragedy. The way this senator positions himself, citing the tragedy caused by the rains, seems to imply that if casinos, bingos, and animal game betting are legalized, "the rain will not stop".
Mixing the discussion with the theme of floods in Rio Grande do Sul is yet another maneuver by the eternal opponent of gambling to the activity and adds to other opposing and unsupported statements he has already made both in committees and in the Senate Plenary.
Damares Alves (Republicans-DF) joined the demand for a deeper debate so that the senators elected in 2022 can express their position on the subject in the committees.
Leila Barros (PDT-DF) emphasized the seriousness of the issue which, according to her, compromises the mental health of the population.
Cleitinho (Republicans-MG) asked the CCJ to be conscious about the matter and also declared his vote against it. And Carlos Viana (Podemos-MG) predicts that the casinos will generate “cursed money” that will not balance the public accounts.
Source: GMB / Senate Agency
