Operator News
Brazil – Survey reveals that Brazilians are split on gaming
By Phil - 24 August 2017
A slight majority of the Brazilian population are in support of the legalisation of gambling in the country when it comes to bingos and casinos, according to a national survey conducted by the survey firm Paraná Pesquisas.
Local news portal JD1 reported that figures show that Brazilian society is divided on the issue with 45.6 per cent in favour of bingo halls returning to the country and 43.4 per cent against it.
When it comes to casinos 45.7 per cent are in favour and 45.5 per cent are opposed with women showing more opposition than men. Only 35.2 per cent of women are in favour of bingo halls and 34.1 per cent for casinos. When it comes to men the majority are in favour of the return of both bingo halls and casinos. 57.7 per cent of men interviewed would like to see the return of casinos and 56.8 per cent are in favour of bingo houses returning to Brazil.
According to the survey, support for gaming via bingos and casinos depends on the level of schooling with opposition highest amongst those who are outside the job market and with lower levels of education. For bingo the highest rate of disapproval is amongst those who only have a basic level of education (49.5 per cent against compared to 39.7 per cent in favour). The numbers stand at 39.9 per cent against bingo and 48.5 for bingo amongst those with a secondary education and 40.5 per cent against and 49.2 per cent in favour amongst those with a higher education. Meanwhile 47.6 per cent of those who are currently employed approve the return of bingo halls, and 41.5 per cent are against them. Amongst the non-employed 48 per cent are against bingo halls while 40.7 per cent approve of them making a return to Brazil.
The same pattern is repeated when it comes to casinos. For casinos 39.1 per cent of those with just an elementary education are in favour and 53.5 per cent are against them. The number rises to 47.7 per cent in favour amongst those who went to high school while 42.1 per cent are against casinos. The numbers increase to 51.2 per cent approval amongst those with the highest level of education while 40.3 per cent are opposed to casinos reopening.
The survey comes at a time when there is increasing impetus to change gaming laws in Brazil. Earlier this month Deputy César Halum, a long time supporter of pro gaming legislation defended the new gaming act now under consideration in the House of Deputies. According to Deputy César Halum the new act would provide a fast and viable alternative to help the government cover the gap in public accounts, whose deficit for this year is expected to rise from R$139bn to R$159 bn. As a result he announced that he and a number of other lawmakers were establishing the Parliamentary Front for the Legalisation of Gaming in Brazil which would push for new gaming rules.
