Lawsuit challenges law regulating bingo in Pará before the Supreme Court.

Through Direct Action of Unconstitutionality 3259, the Attorney General of the Republic, Cláudio Fonteles, is challenging in the Supreme Federal Court Law No. 6.570 of the State of Pará, which regulates the operation of lotteries and gambling establishments. The action was filed last Monday at the request of the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office (MPF) in Pará.
According to the Attorney General, the state legislation encroaches on the exclusive jurisdiction of the Union, since Article 22 of the Federal Constitution establishes the federal entity's competence to regulate "lotteries and consortia," which includes bingo and similar forms of gambling.
"The irreparable or extremely difficult-to-repair damage is evident, since the constant exploitation of state lotteries, as well as bingo, especially those conducted through electronic machines, has caused enormous problems for the State," says the text of the Direct Action of Unconstitutionality (ADI).
Bingo halls have been banned from operating in Pará since June 15th, by order of the Federal Court, which granted an injunction in favor of the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office in a Public Civil Action (ACP) signed by all the federal prosecutors working in Belém. Another ACP is awaiting judgment in court and was filed on July 13th, requesting the suspension of the draws of Carimbó da Sorte, a company that conducts games through television and sells tickets at newsstands and street vendors.
In addition to the lawsuits, ten complaints against bingo hall owners and against lawyer Antônio Neto, supplier of electronic betting machines, are being processed in the Federal Court of Pará. The businessmen are accused of smuggling and crimes against the popular economy. In both the public civil actions and the criminal complaints, the Pará State Lottery (Loterpa) is named as a defendant, for granting the concessions for the operation of gambling establishments. (Ascom PGR – MPF)