The Spiel
By Ricki Chavez-Munoz
Brazil’s president Jair Bolsonaro has repeatedly stated his personal opposition to gambling legalization in the Latin American country, in spite of being aware that the local illegal street number game, jogo do bicho makes millions for many of his supporters.
As the end of his nefarious presidential term draws closer, Bolsonaro is making noises that seem like he is willing to let go of his pet hate for casinos, bingos, et al. However, let’s not forget that when Sheldon Adelson visited Brazil to explore investment possibilities in Integrated Casino Resorts for Las Vegas Sands a few years ago, he went as a guest of Bolsonaro and his senatorial offspring. It was almost as if Bolsonaro was saying to Adelson, ‘I don’t want your casinos, but if the kids want them, I need to show my displeasure for a bit’.
Of course, Bolsonaro’s presidential veto card was always there and he needed to play it for the evangelical crowds, the political wing that carried him to power. On the other hand, opportunistic politicians of his ilk always have an eye on the prize, and that is the billions in investments that gambling would bring to any country in the world, let alone a major player like Brazil.
Before Christmas, I wrote about the compelling support for gambling legalization in Brazil, in my Spanish language column Juego de Palabras: “Some people say that, deals have already been made with politicians for the casino law to be passed which involve multimillion-dollar investment from casino companies, where there might be the odd Mexican mordida (back-hander) for some of them.
“The political reality in Brazil is that the new casino law will be approved before October 2022, the date of general elections in Brazil, where Bolsonaro’s exit from the presidency is more than possible along with many of his supporting evangelical legislators from both chambers.
“Most people support the legalization of casinos in Brazil, not only because of the economic development they would bring, but also because, well into the 21st century, Brazil is aligned with those retrograde countries that oppose an industry that is practiced with greater social responsibility than many others, including defence contractors, petrochemicals, as well as banking and finance.”
Reports about Bolsonaro’s latest position on the presidential veto states the obvious: “My position is clear. From what I’ve seen, owing to the number of votes and the urgency to approve (the gambling bill), they can overturn a possible veto. I intend to veto the issue of gambling in Brazil. I don’t think we are yet mature enough to deal with this issue. Now, there are many people who defend, and then (there is) democracy. If I veto and the parliament overturns the veto, we will comply with the law”.
Bolsonaro makes such noises at this point because the bill that regulates gambling has been lodged in Brazil’s House of Representatives since 1991, and Arthur Lira, Bolsonaro’s ally, and president of the House, has defended the proposal and intends to support the gambling bill. In other words, with or without the presidential veto, the Brazil gambling bill is almost a reality, some 80 years after casinos were outlawed in the country.
The time has at last come for Brazil to approve the gambling bill and enhance its position in the world, where still as an emerging economy, it boasts the twelfth largest GDP. Brazil has had a torrid time under an improvised and irresponsible president who will leave the dark legacy of social upheaval with close to three quarter of a million dead from Covid-19, and the cruellest deforestation of the Amazonian rainforest in history.
Gambling legalization in Brazil is estimated to contribute some R$ 25 billion (US$4,4 billion) per year in tax revenue along with the creation of more than 650,000 jobs, and signals the end of illegal gambling from jogo do bicho and illegal bingos and casinos.
