The Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (CPI) on Gambling in Brazil has been granted a 45-day extension to continue its investigation into potential links between online gambling and criminal activities. These activities include money laundering, currency evasion, and economic harm to Brazilian households. The extension was confirmed by Senate President Davi Alcolumbre, following a request from the commission’s chairman, Senator Dr. Hiran.
The ICC Rapporteur, Senator Soraya Thronicke, had initially sought a longer extension of 130 days. She argued that the commission’s work was paused for 63 days in February, which hindered the investigation’s progress. Thronicke stated, “We are dealing with more than 3,000 betting houses that facilitate currency evasion and money laundering for organized crime, in addition to causing the bankruptcy of many families,” highlighting the necessity for more time to delve deeper into the matter.
This extension means the ICC, originally scheduled to conclude its activities on April 30, will now operate until June. A recent development in the investigation involved the arrest of businessman Daniel Pardim Tavares Lima on April 29. He was taken into custody during his testimony before the ICC for perjury. The Senate Agency reported that the parliamentarians alleged Pardim lied about his association with Adélia de Jesus Soares, his business partner in Peach Blossom River Technology, a company connected to Payflow, which offers services to online gaming operators.
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The ICC also intends to incorporate proposals aimed at addressing gambling addiction in its final report. This issue has become a source of worry within Brazilian society. With the granted extension, the senators aim to collect additional evidence and make progress in regulating a sector that generates significant revenue but is suspected, based on the investigation, of potentially being utilized for illegal purposes.
Sources within the parliament indicate that the ICC’s final report will contain legislative recommendations for regulating the sector and safeguarding the Brazilian public from the dangers linked to online gambling. However, the precise content of the final report and whether new subjects will arise during the additional 45 days of work for inclusion in the report are yet to be determined. Brazil Gambling
