Lula says he will sanction bill to allow casinos in Brazil
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said Friday (Jun. 21) he will sanction the bill legalizing casinos and gambling—such as bingo and jogo do bicho—in Brazil. In his view, however, this is not “what will save the country” in terms of revenue and job creation.
In an interview with Rádio Meio Norte in Teresina, Piauí state, the president said that, if the text is approved in Congress, with agreement between political parties, “there’s no reason not to sanction it.” The president has a series of engagements in the city.
The bill has been approved by the Senate’s committees and is now awaiting floor approval before being submitted for presidential sanction. It has already been accepted by the lower house.
The proposal allows casinos to be set up in tourist centers or leisure complexes—such as high-standard hotels (100+ rooms), restaurants, bars, and venues for meetings and events. The text also suggests that a license could be issued for one casino in each state, with a few exceptions, like São Paulo, which could have up to three casinos, and Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Amazonas, and Pará, with up to two each, on the grounds of population or territory.
Gambling has been banned in Brazil since 1946. Lawmakers opposing the bill mention the increase in gambling addiction and the creation of an environment favorable to prostitution, drug use, and organized crime.
President Lula said he is not fond of gambling, adding, however that he does not think it should be treated as a crime.
“I don’t believe it when people say, ‘if there’s a casino, the poor will spend everything they have.’ The poor won’t go to the casino, the poor will work in the casino, they might even see their town develop, but they won’t go because the casino is something for people who have money,” he went on to say.
Those in favor of the bill point to the economic gains, job creation, and tourist development in casino regions, as well as the increase in tax revenue for the government. Despite agreeing with these benefits, the president said that “this is not going to solve Brazil’s problem.”
“The facile belief that it’ll create two million jobs and bring about development is a misconception. My gamble is to get the Brazilian economy growing again; my gamble is to invest heavily in professional and technical education, in universities, and in primary education; my gamble is to strengthen full-time schools throughout Brazil, to create jobs, increase salaries, and distribute income. That’s what makes people happy. That’s the gamble people have to take, and that’s the gamble the people are going to win,” he said.
