“Gambling is part of everyday life for Brazilians”

Senator Angelo Coronel has reiterated the need to regulate the gaming industry in Brazil.

Brazil.- Senator Angelo Coronel has once again defended the legalisation of the gambling industry in Brazil.

Speaking at the preliminary session of the Commission of Regional Development and Tourism, the legislator, who endorses proposals to introduce integrated resorts in the country, pointed out that gambling is already part of daily life for Brazilians and so regulation is needed.

He said: “It’s a mistake to turn a blind eye and not recognise that bingo halls and even the ‘jogo do bicho’ (an illegal gambling game in Brazil) are part of everyday life for Brazilians.

“Timidity, fear or, I dare to say, the false morality that rejects the legalisation of games, causes the country to lose a considerable amount of taxes per year that could be used for the benefit of Brazilian citizens.”

According to Coronel, illegal gambling continues to proliferate due to “legislative blindness”, and its revenues “are generally used to finance organised crime”. He argues that if gambling was legalised, the funds could be used to support the state and to finance programmes of social assistance and other public iniciatives.