Brasil: Senator Girão calls for caution in bill on gambling, which jeopardises income of the poorest

Speaking in the Senate Plenary on Thursday (11), Senator Eduardo Girão (Novo-CE) said he was concerned about the possibility of approving the bill (PL 2.234/2022) that authorises the operation of bingos and casinos in the country and regularises games of chance, such as jogo do bicho. The parliamentarian argued that bookmakers are being used by organised crime to launder money, and that this should be a reason to re-evaluate any support for legalisation. Girão appealed to his fellow senators for the issue to be widely discussed, not least because it would affect the poorest people in society.

- Let the leadership of this House be sensitised so that we can take the debate on this bill to other committees, so that we can listen to society on this project, which will create a very serious problem for future generations. And Brazil doesn't need any of this to be a world power. Quite the opposite. [Gambling] doesn't generate income, it doesn't generate jobs, it doesn't generate tourism. We showed this in the public hearing we already had in the CCJ and in the debate - he emphasised, suggesting that the bill be sent to the Public Security (CSP) and Economic Affairs committees, among others.

The parliamentarian claimed that the practice is causing mass indebtedness in Brazil and a "human tragedy is happening with sports betting shops". He presented data from a survey by the Brazilian Society of Retail and Consumption, according to which 63 per cent of bettors have had part of their income compromised, failing to buy essential items such as clothes, food and medicines. Girão mentioned that part of the social benefits, such as the Bolsa Família, is being used for betting.

- We already have USD 20 from the Bolsa Família committed to sports betting. Who receives Bolsa Família? It's the most vulnerable people, the most vulnerable families. And then we see this kind of inversion of values in Brazil - he said.

The senator also criticised President Lula's stance, highlighting what he believes to be an inconsistency on this issue. Despite having banned bingos in the country during his first term, Lula is now, said Girão, signalling the possibility of sanctioning a law to free casinos, even though he is against games of chance.

- The population doesn't want casinos, they don't want bingo, because they know that you lose everything; it's a trap, it's a trap. And they're going to launder money from corruption. They'll launder criminal money. Brazil already has too many problems," he concluded.

Agência Senado