As a participant and speaker of a new BgC edition, how do you evaluate the growth of the event and how important is this congress for the Brazilian market?
BgC is very important and the main event for the Brazilian gaming market. The event is growing every day with the possibility and proximity of legalization and opening of gaming in Brazil. We must always honor the event, which was the pioneer in this market and treats the gaming issue with due importance; preparing future professionals and investment groups / corporations that intend to invest and believe in Brazil, with a lot of information, networking and knowledge of the local market.
Tell us a little about your expectations for this year's talk at BgC. What theme will it be addressing and what is the main message it wants to convey to the participants of the gaming industry that will be at the event?
My expectations are always great and I'm excited for these BGC days, with networking and learning from the lectures. This year I will address topics such as the profile of the Brazilian player, the development of players and the importance of the operators to adapt the products according to the players of each market. I am sure it will be a beautiful event the BgC 2018!
What's new in Casino Iguazu's schedule for this first half of the year? Will you have new tournaments and other attractions?
This first half was very important for Casino Iguazu, we had several poker tournaments of different sizes and formats, roulette and Baccarat tournaments and we held the first WPT in Argentina in March. During the Easter holiday, we had a Poker Master Tournament with a guaranteed prize pool of US$ 150,000 and the show of one of Brazil's greatest double-backers, Bruno & Marrone.
By the end of this first semester we will also have two stages of the Cataratas Poker Tour, each with guaranteed prize pool of US$ 100,000 and one stage of IGUAZÚ MASTER, with a guaranteed prize pool of US$ 150,000. We will have at the beginning of May the incredible show of the pair Victor & Leo, and to finalize our Poker tournaments of the 1st Semester we will have from May 31 to June 2 (Holiday of Corpus Christi) our SUPER HIGH ROLLER with guaranteed prize of US$ S500,000 and a Rolex for the champion as a gift from the Iguazú Casino. In addition we will have smaller poker, roulette and slot tournaments ...and several other attractions that only at Casino Iguazú can be found.
We have just upgraded our entire Slots room, with more than 100 new machines already installed and a large number already ordered that we will be receiving soon.
What has been the frequency of Brazilians in the events that Casino Iguazu promotes? Are they mostly players or people that just watch and enjoy other non-game attractions also represent a good number?
The attendance of the Brazilians in the Iguazú Casino events has been very good, and with the recovery of the Brazilian economy is increasing significantly. As the Iguazú Grand is a complete Resort with pools, spa, restaurants, tennis courts, playland and Casino, our audience is divided between casino and tournament players and tourists (couples and families) in search of all the other attractions ... remembering every time we are just minutes from the Iguazu Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
Our Hotel, Casino and facilities are constantly updated and improved, so we are always the number one choice in the region and for the Brazilian public in search of fun.
Did you follow the vote that rejected PLS 186/2014 dealing with the gambling law in the Senate? What is your assessment of the position of the commission's senators? Did the result surprise you?
I am following all the projects that deal with gaming in Brazil, I followed live the voting that rejected PLS 186/2014. The senators' stance demonstrates that they are not up to date on the greatness and potential of the gaming industry and what are the benefits they can bring to Brazil. Important investments, encouraging several economic areas and helping to boost the economy of Brazil, in addition to a great source/generation of revenues with taxes collected. Instead they prefer that gaming continues in illegality.
Now the hopes are on the House of Representatives and PL 442/1991. Do you believe the project can be voted on and approved later this year? What is the difference between it and the project that was rejected in the CCJ that can guarantee a different result?
I believe that the project PL 442/1991 that is being negotiated in the Chamber of Deputies can be voted on later this year. Mayor Rodrigo Maia has already demonstrated his willingness to put the bill on the agenda and be favorable to its approval. The project is more comprehensive including more game modes, but nothing can guarantee a different result.
After the rejection in the Senate, what position should be adopted by businessmen, politicians and players, who seek the legalization of the activity to bring the subject to the knowledge of the population as a whole to support the cause of legal gaming?
Businessmen and politicians should continue to take action to demonstrate to the Brazilian population that legalizing gaming in Brazil would bring great benefits to the country and the population as a whole. They should continue to demonstrate the example of other countries that own legalized games and their projects. They must show that of the 193 member countries of the United Nations (UN), 76% have already legalized gambling and that the Legal Gaming Instituto of Brazil (IJL), according to data from 2015, predicted that the global gaming industry annually moves U$S 488 billion and that Brazil could raise more than US$4.9 billion.
Even with the defeat in the Senate and the delay in passing a bill for the activity, do you believe that the country can be one of the biggest gaming industries in the world?
Not only I do believe it, I'm sure that Brazil will be one of the biggest gaming industries in the world. I know very well the Brazilian market and I know the potential that we will have releasing gaming and casinos in Brazil. In addition, the country has a large infrastructure at airports, large capitals, a coastline with 9,200 km, great natural beauty and people who like to receive their tourists. Brazil can become one of the three largest industries in the gaming industry in the world.
Source: GMB Exclusive
