Illegal gambling dens continue to operate in São Paulo despite the lack of legalization.

The legalization of gambling, such as bingo and jogo do bicho (a type of lottery), has been under discussion for over three decades in Brazil. Meanwhile, clandestine gambling dens remain open in major cities like São Paulo. The SOS São Paulo reporting team from Jovem Pan News visited two such establishments in the city center. These locations are not easily accessible, and entry requires prior acquaintances with the staff. The casinos visited are located on Rua da Glória, in the Liberdade neighborhood. In an interview with Jovem Pan, a former gambling addict recounts starting at a young age but managing to quit for a while. Then he accepted an invitation from a friend and couldn't stop gambling. "Every day I had to stop by and I'd stay up all night," he recalls.

According to criminal lawyer Wagner Cavalcante, this is not a source of income. “Owning a casino is not a source of income, but rather exploitation. It is a game of chance that can be addictive and can lead to losses for the family and those who gamble.” In a statement, the Public Security Secretariat affirms that “the Department of Judicial Police of the capital, through its specialized and district police stations, periodically carries out Operation Caracol, with the objective of combating gambling.”

In the first five months of this year, the Civil Police carried out 465 inspections at locations related to the crime, seized 1.067 slot machines, and arrested 424 people. Last year, 1.162 raids were conducted, resulting in the seizure of 4.400 machines and the arrest of 670 suspects.

Gambling was permitted in Brazil until 1946. The last roulette game was held at the Copacabana Palace Hotel casino on April 30, 1946. ( Jovem Pan )