The Joint Parliamentary Front in Defense of Tourism, presided over by the federal deputy Herculano Passos (MDB-SP), held a seminar on gambling on Thursday 26, at the Brazilian Federal Chamber of Commerce. The meeting brought together representatives of the legislature, executive, judiciary and foreign government officials to discuss global models for regulation of games such as bingos, casinos, online games, among others.
In Brazil, gambling has been banned since 1946, but in both the House and the Senate, bills are being drafted to legalize them. In August 2016, a Special House Committee approved PL 442 of 1991. Since then, it is expected to be set in Plenary, which depends on a decision of the President of the House. However, with the numerous political crises that Brazil has been through, including the impeachment of the former president, there was no climate for this project to be appreciated.
In the opinion of Herculano Passos, the vote on the proposal should also not take place this year. "We are in an election year and it is very unlikely that something that, unfortunately, is so controversial will be placed on the agenda. But we want to keep this debate going and take the time to talk in Plenary to find more information and learn the best way. And when the time comes, we can format a model that has the good points of the legislation of other countries, but that fits the reality of Brazil. That is the goal of this international seminar held today."
As Michael Pollock, Executive Director of the US National Council of Legislators from Gaming States, discussing this issue to exhaustion is the best way to develop appropriate regulation. "This is a kind of event that brings a lot of information and Brazil is doing it right. Brazil is attentive, looking at what works well around the world and what does not. No one is here arguing that Brazil should legalize gaming, but if that is the case, it is necessary to do it in the best possible way."
One of the guests for the event was US Senator William Coley II of the State of Ohio. There, gambling was legalized only nine years ago and, according to the parliamentarian, there was no time to discuss the matter. "The big problem was that we did not have the chance to analyze much because the proposal came through a popular initiative. People signed a petition and we had to vote quickly. We did not have time to think about the possible downsides. And Brazil has the possibility of doing the right thing and guaranteeing legislation that serves the interests of the Brazilian population."
In Las Vegas, Nevada, gambling was legalized in 1931 and, in 1946, the first casino hotels began to emerge, which made the city world famous and one of the most visited. In the state, there is a gaming control body, the Nevada Gaming Control Board, chaired by former Senator Becky Harris. She believes that, like her state, if Brazil decides to legalize the activity, it will generate a significant amount of resources and revenue for the country. "In Nevada, the whole society understands the benefit of gaming activity and how much the industry represents to the local economy. If the Brazilian Congress approves a very rigid regulation and covering all the characteristics that the activity involves, the Nevada Gaming Commission will be on hand to collaborate with all our regulatory experience."
Another country that has benefited from the gaming activity is Portugal. There, they have been legalized since 1927. Last year alone, casinos and bingos generated € 100 million in revenue (about $ 420 million) for the country.
According to Paulo Duarte Lopes, Director of the Department of Planning and Control of Games of the Ministry of Tourism of Portugal, the resources coming from the activity "allow Portugal to guarantee the financing of different activities of a social and economic nature and important infrastructure and tourism projects. "
Source: GMB
