JUE 28 DE MARZO DE 2024 - 11:43hs.
Editorial

Brazilian media giant O Globo calls for casinos at resorts to leverage Porto region in Rio

After years of news and opinion columns clearly opposing the legalization of gaming in Brazil, O Globo, the country's most important media group, reaffirmed in one if 2018 latest editorials its drastic change of position and assures that the release of casinos in resorts could leverage the region of Porto Maravilha in Rio de Janeiro. “Legalizing is the way the State exercises control over the growing clandestine market” is the title of the article.

Legalizing is the way the State exercises control over the growing clandestine market

Mirror of the city itself, the Port Zone of Rio de Janeiro has unequivocal vocation for tourism, leisure, gastronomy and entertainment activities. Revitalized from the demolition of the Perimetral High, within the package of works for the 2016 Olympics, the area gained its own light in the last two years, now hosting some of the new icons of the city, such as the museums of Tomorrow – that already received the visito f more than three million people - and Arte do Rio (MAR), besides AquaRio. After a period of hesitation, reflecting the severe recession of 2015/2016, companies are starting to move to the region, occupying modern buildings erected in the euphoria of the Games.

But the public-private partnership that sustains Porto Maravilha, involving the City Hall, Caixa Econômica Federal and concessionaire Porto Novo, faces moments of inactivity, a consequence of the economic crisis that paralyzed the real estate market and the economy in general, putting at risk a fundamental PPP for the city. It is important to remember that, with the interruption of Caixa's onlendings, the city had to assume the maintenance of the area. In this sense, the idea of Mayor Marcelo Crivella to support the construction of a tourist complex with a resort and casino in Porto, along the lines of Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, is consistent with the objective of financing the development of the region. There would be foreigners willing to invest in the project.

In fact, it may be a way out. But it will be necessary to overcome legal obstacles. The gaming activity was banned in the country in April of 1946, during the government of Eurico Gaspar Dutra, and thus it remains until today. At least officially, because, in practice, it is known that it operates clandestinely. Anyway. Digital technology, for example, allows companies to settle in countries where gambling is allowed and receive bets from anyone, including Brazilians. The gaming firms win, the State loses, as it does not collect taxes.

It is estimated that legal gambling - lotteries, turf, sports betting etc. - and illegal (jogo do bicho, slot machines, casinos) jointly move around US$ 13 billion per year in the country. Per capita spending on gaming in Brazil is US$ 18.53. In Uruguay, it is US$ 40, and in Portugal up to US$ 228.

The only way for the State to exercise effective control over this market is through legalization. In the Congress, there are several projects with proposals to take gaming out of clandestine, from the most restrictive to the most permissive. Of course, caution is needed because of the close link between these activities and money laundering crimes. But it is inevitable that the subject be discussed without passion. There are examples from all over the world that it is possible to keep the gaming activity under strict state supervision. It would be wiser to pretend it does not exist.

Editorial
O Globo