Most readers of Campo Grande News say they are in favor of legalizing gambling.

Most readers who responded to a poll by the Campo Grande News newspaper in Mato Grosso do Sul are in favor of legalizing gambling – the result was 57% against 43%.

According to reader Gabriel Garcia, lotteries share the same characteristics as these practices. "In my view, 'games of chance' are already legalized. Lotteries are the prime example of this, legalized gambling."

Fábio Duailibi comments on other forms of lotteries that could also be configured in a similar way. "So many things are legalized and nobody cares. There are people who play at lottery outlets daily, some play poker, or use online betting sites – hundreds of them."

Regarding people who can become addicted to gambling, he draws a parallel with the use of certain substances, which are permitted by law. "Now casinos are not allowed! They say it's 'addictive'... Remember, cigarettes and alcohol are addictive and are legal, but gambling isn't."

Finally, reader Vinícius de Souza Nunes is on the team that doesn't care so much about the legalization, or not, of such games. "For me it's all good, I'm just unlucky."

This Wednesday’s poll (23) asked readers what their opinion was on the subject, which is prohibited based on article 50 of Decree Law 3.688/1941 – which says it is prohibited to establish or operate gambling in a public place or a place accessible to the public, with a penalty of three months to one year, in addition to a fine.

However, a bill currently being processed in the Federal Senate could legalize the operation of such activities, which include casinos, bingo halls, the illegal lottery game "jogo do bicho," and online gambling, among other modalities.

However, according to the Câmara de Notícias news agency, the government leader, Deputy Ricardo Barros (PP-PR), stated that President Jair Bolsonaro will veto the bill if it is approved. ( Campo Grande News – Guilherme Correia)