Recife, 3/2/2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Following a march of some 2,000 protesters through the streets of downtown Recife, a commission of representatives of managers and workers in bingo parlors and lottery stores met with city officials. The protesters want the governor of Pernambuco, Jarbas Vasconcelos, to get state deputies and senators in Brasilia to vote against the temporary measure (medida provisoria) that closes down their activities.

According to spokemen for the protesters, 30,000 people in Pernambuco have lost their jobs because of the measure. The state is reported to have had 20,000 electronic slot machines (video lotteries) which brought in revenue of R$700,000 monthly. The protesters point out that a local law permitting the operation of the machines was passed last year and the revenue was being invested in social program and sports activities. (AB)