Deputies approve the basic text of the project that legalizes bingos and casinos in Brazil

Starting this Thursday (24), the Plenary will be able to vote on the highlights presented by the parties in an attempt to modify the opinion of Deputy Felipe Carreras (PSB-PE) for Bill 442/91.

According to the text, casinos may be installed in resorts as part of an integrated leisure complex that must contain at least 100 high-end hotel rooms, meeting and event rooms, restaurants, bars and shopping centers.

The physical space of the casino must be, at most, equal to 20% of the built area of the complex, and electronic and roulette games, card games and other authorized modalities may be explored.

To determine the places where casinos can be opened, the Executive Power must consider the existence of the tourist heritage and the economic and social potential of the region.

There can be three casinos when the population of the state is greater than 25 million (only São Paulo, according to the 2021 estimate of the IBGE).

For states with more than 15 million and up to 25 million, there may be two casinos (in the case of Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro). In the other states and in the Federal District, with a population of up to 15 million inhabitants, there may be only one casino.

Each economic group may be the holder of a single concession per federal entity and the accreditation will be carried out through public auction in the technical and price modality.

Additionally, the Executive Branch may grant the operation of casinos in entertainment complexes to up to two establishments in states with a dimension greater than 1 million km2.

Turistic cities In localities classified as tourist centers or destinations, the installation of a casino will be allowed, regardless of the population density of the state in which they are located.

The proposal defines these places as those that have regional identity, adequate infrastructure and offer of tourist services, high density of tourists and title of natural heritage of humanity, in addition to having tourism as an important economic activity.

A tourist casino cannot be located within 100 km of any casino integrated into an entertainment complex.

Ships

As a novelty in relation to previous versions of the text, there is the operation of casinos in river boats, one for each river with 1,500 km to 2,500 km in length; two for each river with a length between 2,500 km and 3,500 km; and three by river with a length greater than 3,500 km.

These vessels may not anchor in the same place for more than 30 consecutive days, and the concession may be for up to ten establishments.

These ships must have a minimum of 50 high-end rooms, restaurants and bars and shopping malls, as well as venues for events and meetings.

Bingo

In the case of bingo, the text allows its permanent exploitation only in bingo houses, allowing the municipalities and the Federal District to exploit these games in stadiums with a capacity of more than 15,000 fans.

Bingo houses must have a minimum capital of R$ 10 million and be located in premises with a minimum area of 1,500 square meters, where up to 400 video bingo machines may also be located, but slot machines will be prohibited.

According to the text, a maximum of one bingo house will be accredited for every 150,000 inhabitants.

Licensed places will have a 25-year authorization, renewable for an equal period.

Animal game

For the legalization of animal gambling, the text requires that all the licensee's records, whether betting or withdrawal, be computerized and with the possibility of access in real time (online) by the Union, through the Audit System and Control (SAC).

Interested parties must submit a minimum share capital of R$ 10 million and reserve funds as collateral for the payment of obligations and rights provided for in the project, except for the award, which may be in the form of a cash guarantee, insurance guarantee or Bank guarantee.

The accreditation will be for a period of 25 years, renewable for an equal period if the requirements are met.

There can be, at most, one operator of this game for every 700,000 inhabitants of the state or DF. In those with less than 700 thousand inhabitants, there should only be one accredited for the animal game.

The redemption of prizes up to the Income Tax exemption limit will not require the identification of the player.

Temporary operation

If after the 12 months of validity of the future law, there are no regulations, the provisional operation of video-bingo, bingo and animal games throughout the national territory will be authorized until the regulations are released.