At a meeting for lawyers and businessmen, that also included representatives from the gaming industry, President of the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies, Rodrigo Maia, said legalizing gambling should be gradual starting with casinos at integrated resorts. The meeting took place in the office of the former president of Loterj, Dr. Daniel Homem de Carvalho, in Rio de Janeiro, who explained that the purpose of the meeting that brought together lawyers and entrepreneurs from different sectors.
"You always think of the US case of Las Vegas, but Brazil is not the United States. We have to work with our reality. Brazil needs to generate investment" said Maia.
The president of the Chamber of Deputies said that the regulation of casinos is important for Rio de Janeiro and the whole country, since it could generate jobs and raise revenues for governments. The deputy informed, however, that there are a variety of projects on gaming awaiting voting in the House, a fact that makes the discussion difficult. The idea, he said, is to dialogue so that the project is restricted on casinos and Internet gaming.
"We are going to talk (with the deputies), some politicians ask for bingo, or gaming machines outside the casinos. But we want to present (project) the casino and Internet games, because Brazil is not getting anything from it (online gaming)," said Maia.
According to Maia, studies show that the implementation of casinos integrated with hotels can result in the creation of 250-300 thousand jobs in the country, in addition to resulting in a collection of up to US$6.15 billion for governments. He estimates that up to 32 casinos can be built in Brazil if the project reaches consensus and is approved.
"The public was one of lawyers and businessmen. The topic discussed was the crisis and the perspectives for the future. The challenges were to rebuild Brazilian institutions, without bureaucracy and with a less interventionist and more efficient state focused on security, health and education."
Caesars’ representative and Brazilian businessman, André Feldman, explained the position of Rodrigo Maia, saying that the parliamentarian sees gaming as a promoter of tourism, but, which should not be legalized in one go, with all modalities at the same time.
"Rodrigo was in favor of the legalization of the activity in the country, but said that it is a very complex issue. He understands the importance for the tourism sector, but believes that the opening should take place gradually, within the sector, starting casinos at IRs and later the other areas such as internet and bingos, for example ... in a gradual process,” said Feldman. “Not being a total opening all at once," he concludes.
In spite of the support of the ex-president of the Chamber to the gaming legalization, the projects that deal with the subject in the House are still in pause. PL 244/91 has already been approved by the special committee on gaming, but awaits a space on the floor of the plenary for consideration.
Source: GMB
