The proposal, considered by the Chamber of Deputies in early 2022, underwent a close vote with approval: 246 votes in favor and 202 against. The Evangelical Front, as well as the PT and PSOL benches, were against the matter. Parties such as PDT, PCdoB, MDB and Solidariedade were in favor.
The provisional measure on sports betting
With the increased visibility of sports betting, especially in betting houses that sponsor football clubs and championships, the discussion about the practice has once again become a topic of public interest.
Although legalized since 2018, through Law 13,756/18, sports betting was not regulated, that is, it was not subject to inspection or taxation.
In July of this year, the federal government published provisional kuwait mobile database measure 1,182/2023, as a way to formalize the sector, increase the security of bettors and find a new source of revenue for the State .
According to the text of the MP, the regulation of the activity will be carried out by the Ministry of Finance. Regarding taxation, betting companies, known as “ bets ”, will be taxed at 18% on the revenue obtained through games, after the payment of prizes.
The MP also determines prohibitions on betting: minors under 18 years of age, public agents who work in the supervision of the sector, people who may have influence on the results of the games, registered in national credit protection registries and people with access to computerized lottery betting systems.
The pros and cons of legalizing gambling and betting
Legalizing gambling in Brazil involves a number of pros and cons, covering financial, social and security aspects. The pros of legalization include measures such as generating additional tax revenue for the government through the collection of taxes on gambling activities.
Another important point is that the gambling industry can boost direct and indirect employment opportunities, contributing to economic development and stimulating related sectors such as tourism and hospitality. Legalization can also help combat the black market and crime related to illegal activities.
On the other hand, the legalization of gambling also brings with it significant challenges. One of the main drawbacks is the potential increase in the risk of addiction and problems related to compulsive gambling, which can have negative impacts on the mental and financial health of individuals and their families.
Furthermore, there are legitimate concerns about increased crime, such as fraud and money laundering, associated with large-scale gambling if there is no strict regulation and control.
To balance these pros and cons, any proposal to legalize gambling must be drafted with caution. A comprehensive regulatory framework is essential, incorporating measures to protect players and prevent compulsive gambling problems.