Arthur Lira sends the Regulatory Framework for Games to the Senate. Bill 'authorizes the operation of games and betting'.

By: Magno José

Evangelicals threaten to obstruct vote on gambling. — The final draft of the bill that 'authorizes the operation of games and betting throughout the national territory' has been released and the matter has been sent to the Senate for consideration.

The final draft of Bill 442/91 has been released and the Speaker of the House, Deputy Arthur Lira (PP-AL), forwarded this Friday (5) the text approved by the plenary of PL 442/91 to be considered by the Federal Senate.

In the forwarding document, Lira already uses the new name of the project, which after approval will be "Provides for the exploitation of games and betting throughout the national territory." Furthermore, the text does not refer to the word 'chance' at any point.

“I am forwarding to Your Excellency, for submission to the Federal Senate for consideration, pursuant to article 65 of the Federal Constitution combined with article 134 of the Common Rules of Procedure, Bill No. 442 of 1991, from the Chamber of Deputies, which “Provides for the operation of games and betting throughout the national territory; amends Law No. 7.291 of December 19, 1984; and repeals Decree-Law No. 9.215 of April 30, 1946, and provisions of Decree-Law No. 3.688 of October 3, 1941 (Law on Criminal Offenses), and Law No. 10.406 of January 19, 2002 (Civil Code).”

Next week, the president of the Senate, Senator Rodrigo Pacheco (PSD-MG), will decide on the procedural rules for Bill 442/91. Pacheco may decide that the proposal will be analyzed by several committees before reaching the Plenary, but he may also create a special committee for discussion.

The religious caucus is strongly opposed to the legalization of gambling, but several parliamentarians are sympathetic to the proposal. Those opposed will be led by Senator Eduardo Girão (Podemos-CE) and those in favor by Senator Angelo Coronel (PSD-BA).

Senator Angelo Coronel (PSD-BA) is positioning himself as a spokesperson in favor of the issue within the Senate and has already begun lobbying, including alongside Pacheco, a fellow party member, in an attempt to unlock the debate. “I will defend it; I am in favor of legalization. The world's economic powers, with the exception of Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, which make up the G20, all have legalized gambling, as do the Mercosur countries, except for Brazil. We have to treat gambling as an economic activity, not as a custom,” he argued.