Police raid shuts down recently reopened bingo hall in Porto Alegre.
The gambling spree at the Coliseu e Roma bingo hall on Avenida Princesa Isabel in Porto Alegre was short-lived. On Tuesday afternoon, an operation by the Civil Police, Public Prosecutor's Office, Fire Department, and city hall shut down the establishment, collected more than one hundred motherboards from slot machines, and seized R$ 11,5 in cash.
When the police arrived at the scene, about 200 people, mostly elderly, were trying their luck at the Colosseum and Rome lottery. A minor disturbance ensued. Unhappy with the interruption of the game, many booed the presence of the Civil Police, who opted to request that everyone leave the premises to avoid further conflict.
The Coliseu e Roma casino had reopened on January 13th after rulings from the Criminal Appeals Panel of the Rio Grande do Sul Court of Justice (TJ-RS) indicated that operating gambling establishments is no longer considered a criminal offense. Given this fact, coupled with the lapse of a 2004 Provisional Measure that prohibited bingo halls in the country, the owner and lawyer of the establishment believed that the venue could legally reopen.
This understanding did not find support among the authorities. The president of the Criminal Appeals Panel of the TJ-RS (Court of Justice of Rio Grande do Sul), Judge Edson Jorge Cechet, stated that the reclassification of gambling as an illegal activity does not automatically authorize the opening of establishments in this sector.
— Article 50 of the Law of Criminal Offenses covers bingo and slot machines. This legislation has not been repealed. Gambling is not legal in Brazil. For that to happen, a federal law is needed. The owner and employees will be subject to a summary proceeding — explained Delegate Cesar Carrion, head of the 2nd Police Station of Porto Alegre.
During the raid, other problems were found at the Colosseum in Rome: the building lacked a permit from the city hall and a Fire Prevention and Protection Plan (PPCI) from the Fire Department. For these reasons, the city's Inspection Division announced the closure of the venue due to "imminent risk to the life and physical integrity of users."
Lawyer Laerte Luis Gschwenter announced that he will file a writ of mandamus with the TJ-RS (Court of Justice of Rio Grande do Sul) to try to reopen the bingo hall. He raised his voice while criticizing the operation against the establishment of his client, businessman Sérgio Garcês.
"It's an affront to the democratic rule of law. They didn't consider the court ruling that dismisses the criminal charge. This police apparatus here is an aberration, failing to combat real crime. All this won't even amount to basic food basket payments," protested Gschwenter.
When questioned about the fact that authorities, including those in the judiciary, had contested the opening of the Colosseum in Rome, claiming the absence of an authorizing law, he demanded action.
"If it's not a crime, private enterprise cannot be persecuted. And if there's no regulation governing the sector, it's time for Brazil, Congress, and the Supreme Federal Court to deliberate on this," he stated.
Situation of permanent flagrant violation
Regarding the lack of a business license and fire safety certificate (PPCI), essential items for a company to operate, the lawyer stated that both were in the process of being issued. He also complained about the fact that the operation was carried out "without a court order."
"This is an ongoing crime, caught in the act," countered Detective Carrion.
The situation regarding bingo halls will take on new dimensions in Brasília. The full Supreme Court is expected to discuss decisions that reclassify gambling as no longer a criminal offense. In Congress, two bills are being processed with the intention of legalizing and regulating this market in the country. ( Zero Hora – Carlos Rollsing)
