Brasília Hoje: Alcolumbre discusses project to legalize casinos and illegal gambling

The President of the Senate , Davi Alcolumbre ( União Brasil -AP), included in the plenary's agenda on Tuesday (8) the bill that frees up casinos, bingo and animal gambling , already approved by the House's CCJ (Constitution and Justice Committee).

Alcolumbre and the rapporteur, Senator Irajá Abreu (PSD-TO), tried to vote on the project in December , but had to back down due to the risk of defeat. In the CCJ, the proposal advanced in June of last year with a tight score of 14 yes votes and 12 no.

If it is approved by the Senate plenary without changes, maintaining the 2022 text from the Chamber of Deputies , the project will go to presidential sanction.

The possibility of a vote was announced this Friday (4), surprising even members of parliament. Alcolumbre canceled this week's leaders' meeting — which normally takes place on Thursdays. When questioned by the press on Wednesday (2), he responded that the cancellation was the president's prerogative. Even in light of the ongoing discussion in recent months about the risk of gambling addiction and the impact on Brazilian families' budgets, senators opposed to the bingo project fear there will be votes for approval.

In a show of strength, the Senate president orchestrated the approval of the bill that increases the number of federal deputies from 513 to 531 last week. The proposal was approved with 41 votes in favor, exactly the minimum required.