With the backing of members of the government, Brazilian Members of Parliament are taking the Bingo Law bill to the Chamber of Deputies for a vote on legalising regulated gaming in the huge South American country before the end of April. In Sao Paolo, gaming professional Luiz Baena, confirmed that although the proposed bill is not of the highest priority for the country, there exists strong pressure to regulate bingo once and for all.

The Sao Paolo newspaper El Diario has reported that the Leader of the Lower House, Deputy Cándido Vaccarezza, said that the leaders of the political parties allied to the Government have now indicated their intention of voting on the project by saying: “It may not deal with a Government priority but we will do nothing to impede the vote.”

Deputy Arnaldo Faria de Sá, one of the authors of the bill to legalise bingo halls, said that the changes included in the new proposal have the backing of most Members of Parliament because, ‘Some of the money collected will go towards health care in Brazil, an area at present lacking in resources. Also, having online control will prevent the bingo halls being used by organized crime.”

After the vote in the Chamber of Deputies the bill will pass to the Senate for another vote. Little opposition to the proposed new law is expected as the gaming sector in Brazil, which each day gives cause for concern, is in dire need of regulation. Vaccarezza commented, “There are bingos operating illegally in many locations without taxation. It is better to regulate and tax, impeding the domination of organised crime in the sector.”

All bingo halls in Brazil were closed by President Lula in 2004 following accusations of corruption against members of his government. (E-03.12.10)

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