Hobbies And Interests
Lottery
Lottery gambling is legal in Brazil and the state runs a variety of different games, the proceeds of which are used for social improvement programs. Some state-run lotteries are linked to soccer results and others are based on standard numerical draws. The most popular lottery however, is the illegal Jogo do Bicho ("the animal game"). This game, which involves betting on various number-linked animals, has been prohibited by federal law since 1946 in all but one of Brazil’s 26 federal unities.
Bingo
In February of 2004, President Lula passed Provisional Measure 168, which prohibited commercial bingo games of any sort. He acted in response to the scandal which erupted after the head of the State Lottery was discovered soliciting bribes from a notorious figure from the bingo business. However, the Senate failed to approve the measure and bingo was legalized again in October of 2004.
Casinos
Casinos were first prohibited by the conservative President Eurico Dutra in 1946 when he enacted Decree Law No. 9215. Before then, Brazil had boasted some of the world’s most famous, and lucrative, casinos. 1922 saw the opening of the Gloria which was soon followed by the construction of the first luxury hotel in South America, the Copacabana Palace. Up until Dutra took power, the taxes levied from the casinos provided the Brazilian government with twenty percent of its yearly income.
Internet Gambling
The Criminal Contravention Act of 1941 made it illegal for all types of unauthorized sports betting. Brazil’s Special Organized Crime Prevention Task Force and other institutions believe that this extends to Internet gaming. “[Internet gambling] is an [illegal] game of chance and the Brazilian player can be punished,” said a Force representative in 2008. “You cannot use the excuse that the site is based outside of the country,” he added. Despite such warnings, operators such as Sportingbet and Betboo have made Portuguese-language websites specifically for Brazilian citizens.
Slot Machines
In 2007 the Brazilian Supreme Court made clear that the country&'s hordes of slot machines were, in fact, illegal. This resulted in the seizure of thousands of slot machines by the police. Since then, attempts have been made to legalize slot machines, the most recent of which will be decided following the 2010 presidential elections.