Federal court shuts down 64 gambling dens in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.

Forty-one days after the Senate overturned the provisional measure that prohibited the operation of bingo halls and slot machines in the country, the Federal Court in the state yesterday ordered the closure of 64 gambling establishments in 12 municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul. The decision was issued in a civil action brought by the Federal Government.
The decision by substitute judge Ana Inês Algorta Latorre of the 6th Federal Court adds another chapter to the saga that the dispute between the Presidential Palace and bingo halls has become, which began on the night of February 20th, when President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed Provisional Measure 168.
The 64 businesses affected by the decision were listed as defendants by the Federal Government. The court orders mandating the closure of the establishments are expected to be issued today, the Federal Court's press office informed yesterday. The businesses will have 10 days from the date of notification to appeal the decision. During this period, according to information from the Federal Court's press office, they may remain open while awaiting consideration of their arguments.
According to a note published on the website of the Federal Court of Rio Grande do Sul (www.jfrs.gov.brAna Inês examined the possibility of operating bingo games without the activity being regulated or authorized by public authorities.
Entities suggest appeals against the decision.
The substitute judge argued that since the repeal proposed by Law 9.981 of 2000, there is no longer any legal provision regulating bingo games. The aforementioned legislation rendered ineffective the rules established for the authorization, inspection, and operation of gambling establishments. "Therefore, bingo halls can no longer operate legally, since they do not have authorization," the statement says.
Ana Inês ordered the "immediate prohibition and unavailability of all slot machines and electronic bingo machines or any others that fall under the legal definition of gambling." Furthermore, the judge also ordered the removal of all signs, advertisements, banners, notices, and other forms of advertising from the facades of the establishments, including the suspension of advertising.
The president of the Brazilian Federation of Bingo Companies, Jaime Sirena, said that the organization will advise its members to file appeals against the decision.
Our activity is not illegal simply because it is not regulated.
The president of the Rio Grande do Sul Bingo Association (Agebi), Márcio Augusto da Silva, said that the main objective of the action is to target slot machines.
"Slot machines and bingo halls are different things. I'm sure the decision will be reversed when we have the right to defend ourselves," he stated.The municipalitiesThe 64 homes affected by the court decision are located in 12 cities:Porto Alegre, Gravataí, Osório, Santa Maria, Capão, Tramandaí, Cachoeirinha, Viamão, Guaíba, Montenegro, Alvorada, TorresThe operation of bingo halls and slot machines was prohibited for 76 days in 2004.– February 13 – The crisis began with the release of a video tape in which Waldomiro Diniz, then an advisor to the Presidential Palace, asks for bribes for himself and campaign contributions for the Rio de Janeiro gubernatorial candidates Benedita da Silva (PT) and Rosinha Garotinho (then in the PMDB). Diniz's interlocutor was the illegal gambling operator Carlos Augusto Ramos, known as Carlinhos Cachoeira, who had investments in lotteries and electronic gambling establishments. - February 20 – To dispel suspicions that Diniz had engaged in influence peddling in favor of gambling businessmen, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signs a provisional measure prohibiting bingo and slot machines throughout the country. - March 30 – After making concessions to government-aligned deputies, such as releasing funds for budget amendments, the government obtains a victory in the Chamber of Deputies: the provisional measure prohibiting bingo is approved by 295 votes in favor, 73 against, and three abstentions. - May 5 – In the biggest defeat for the Lula government in Congress, the Senate rejects the provisional measure by 32 votes against, 31 in favor, and two abstentions. - June 15 – The substitute judge of the 6th Federal Court in the State, Ana Inês Algorta Latorre, accepts The request for preliminary injunction stems from a public civil action filed by the Federal Government against 64 commercial companies operating bingo games in Rio Grande do Sul. The decision orders the closure of the establishments.
Zero Hour – RS