The bill was approved in June of last year by the Senate’s Constitution and Justice Committee (CCJ), when Alcolumbre was still serving as the committee’s president.
Senator Irajá stated that the proposal already has majority support, but discussions between the government and Congress are ongoing. According to the senator, dialogue is taking place with the Ministry of Finance, the Presidential Palace, and the Ministries of Tourism and of Development, Industry, Trade and Services.
The bill authorizes the operation of all forms of gambling in Brazil, such as casinos, the jogo do bicho (an illegal numbers game), bingo halls, and horse race betting. Additionally, it establishes the application of the Economic Domain Intervention Contribution for Gambling (CIDE-Jogos), with a tax rate of 17% on revenue generated from gambling activities. Regarding income tax, a rate of 20% will be applied to net winnings.
A survey conducted in April this year by DataSenado, based on the opinions of 44 million Brazilians, showed that 60% of the population supports the legalization of gambling, and 75% consider the current prohibition ineffective. It is based on this data that Irajá intends to seek consensus in the Senate to pass the measure.
Some opposition senators have expressed their opposition to the bill. The main arguments against it include the potential rise in gambling addiction and money laundering. The bill has already been analyzed by the Chamber of Deputies and now awaits a decision by the Senate President to be placed on the floor for a vote.
Source: Jota
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