JUE 28 DE MARZO DE 2024 - 19:30hs.
Meeting promoted by ABIH-Nacional

Number of foreign tourists in Brazil could triple if gaming is legalized

During a lunch promoted by ABIH-Nacional (Brazilian Hotel Industry Association), Congressman Herculano Passos, the President of the Brazilian Tourism Institute (Embratur) Gilson Machado Neto, and ABIH-Nacional President, Manoel Linhares, talked about the importance of regulating the sector in the country. According to Linhares, once legalized, it can raise about R$ 20 billion (US$ 4.8bn) annually, generating more than 200,000 new jobs and contributing to the development of various regions.

Herculano Passos (MDB-SP) defended the legalization of casinos by commenting the need for more resources for the development of tourism in Brazil. For the deputy, the debate on the subject is already "mature". “I think we will win this stage soon and then we will attract more foreign tourists and investment,” said Passos, advocating the integrated resort model. “And few. At most one per state. The biggest ones might have a few more.”

Also attending the ABIH meeting, the president of the Brazilian Tourism Institute (Embratur), Gilson Machado Neto, said that in addition to the release of the casinos, the unblocking of the announced resumption of sea cruise travel and the attraction of more foreign airlines are among the federal government's priorities.

“We are trying, together with the National Congress, to define the legislation on whether or not to release casinos. This is essential. And we need to define, along with trading, a model so that businesses do not transform like a bakery, one around every corner,” said Neto, highlighting the potential for job creation of tourism. “If we can do what we have in mind, we will triple the number of foreign tourists received by Brazil by 2022.”

In a recent article, ABIH president Manoel Linhares acknowledges that the regulation of gambling and the consequent reopening of casinos in the country continues to divide opinions, despite its relevance to tourism and the economy. According to Linhares, studies by the Brazilian Legal Gaming Institute (IJL) show that, once legalized, the segment can raise about R$ 20 billion (US$ 4.8bn) annually, generating more than 200,000 new jobs and contributing to the development of various regions.

"It would be important for the bill to have a broader scope, going beyond authorization to open casinos and legalize jogo do bicho, bingo, sports betting, online and electronic games," argues Linhares. “The possibility of small casinos that are not integrated with resorts should be discussed. This proposal is fundamental because it would allow the development of different destinations, would generate occupation in the peripheral hotels and avoid the concentration of this activity only in large enterprises with rates subsidized by the collection with gaming,” adds the president of ABIH Nacional.

Source: GMB / IstoÉ