Stanley Martins Frasão*

Rio de Janeiro, April 30, 1946, 125th anniversary of Brazilian Independence and 58th anniversary of the Republic, under the presidency of Eurico G. Dutra. This is the date of the decree number 9.215, which went into effect on the date of its publication, without enough time to balance the problems generated.

The law prohibited the practice or exploitation of games of chance in all of the national territory, having as its basis some considerations: that the repression of gambling is an imperative of universal conscience; that the penal legislation of all civilized people tend towards that end; that the moral judicial and religious traditions of the Brazilian people is against the practice and exploitation of games of chance; that from the exception opened to the general law, baneful abuses of morality and proper conduct; that the licenses and concessions for the practice and exploitation of games of chance in the Federal Capital and spa resorts were bequeathed provisionally, and could be cancelled at any moment.

Legend has it that president Dutra’s wife, D. Santinha (D. Carmela), a religious woman contrary to casinos, and the then Justice Secretary, Carlos Luz, under the flag of defense and the Traditional Family from Minas Gerais were the people Who influenced the president.

Thus, Casinos were closed, thousands of people lost their Jobs, not to mention the people affected indirectly, investors were marooned, many casino towns began to decay, and to this day it is known that many people are still allowed to gamble in Argentina, Paraguay, USA, in many countries in Europe and even in cruise ships that travel along international waters, transporting Brazilians who embark in our ports.

We know that after this, gambling in Brazil started to be controlled exclusively by the Federal and State Governments, who earn daily with high taxes on gambling throughout the country.

Several bills have been introduced for debate in Congress and might it not be the case that we are facing a new opportunity to generate economic growth with by allowing the opening of Casinos, generating Jobs, tax revenue, a decrease in clandestine gambling and criminality associated with it?

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* Stanley Martins Frasãois attorney at "Homero Costa Advogados"