During a session at The Federal Supreme Court, The Minister of the Supreme Federal Court of Brazil, Gilmar Mendes reported that the Director-General of the Federal Police told him “"32 or 34 parliamentarians of the Assembly receive allowance from Jogo do Bicho."
Jogo do Bicho is an illegal but popular gambling game in Brazil that has been prohibited in the country since 1946. In February 2026, authorities arrested Adilson Oliveira Coutinho Filho, who was known as a leader in Jogo do Bicho activities.
During a session at the Federal Supreme Court (STF), the Minister did not clarify when this conversation took place or who was part of it.
The Court was judging whether the election for the buffer mandate in the state will be direct or indirect when the statement took place. The score is currently 4-1 for the indirect election for the position of Governor of Rio De Janeiro.
A formal request for review made by Minister Flávio Dino postponed the judgment and there is still no date for the debate to officially resume.
Recently, Prime Video released a teaser for “Animal Race” an action movie that is inspired by Jogo do Bicho.
Menders added: “God have mercy on Rio de Janeiro." He then reproduced a quote in Spanish to say the state was “far from God” and edging closer to “militias and crime.”
Reports from the Legislative Assembly of the state say it does not recognize any relationship with a criminal misdemeanour, as well as any investigation that is related to this current legislature.
A retired Ppoice officer was also linked to Jogo do Bicho and was investigated over links to the illegal game.
Paraíba is the only state in Brazil where the game is legal
