Currently, two bills dealing with gambling in the country are pending in the National Congress - one in the House of Representatives and one in the Senate.
“I spent 12 years in Congress and this has always been a very cursed issue. I consider that now the discussion is more mature. There is a clear loss of currency for the country. In my understanding it is time for Brazil to try the casino opening. I think it has to be done prudently, even to evaluate over time. But it is necessary to introduce it,” added the secretary, after emphasizing that the Rio de Janeiro government supports this opening.
In a speech at the Rio de Janeiro Trade Association (ACRJ), still as a pre-candidate for the Planalto, in 2018, President Jair Bolsonaro said he was opposed to the release of casinos in the country, but waved the possibility of each state deciding on the subject. At the end of last month, news circulated in the press that lawmakers from the block known as ‘Centrão’ consulted Bolsonaro about a project to open the opening of casinos in Brazil, without getting a definitive answer.
One of the obstacles would be the resistance of the evangelical bench to the release of gambling. Licensed Bishop of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, Rio de Janeiro Mayor Marcelo Crivella, favors casinos on the grounds of attracting investment and creating jobs.
“It is also time for an understanding between the parties, the Legislative, the Executive, the States. And [of them] open a window to this possibility,” said the Rio de Janeiro secretary of tourism. “Why didn't [the topic] advance [in Congress]? Someone proposed two casinos for each State. Here came the amendments they inserted: machines in any tavern, bingos for every 200,000 inhabitants, other games. All in one package. Brazil would go from eight to 800, become a paradise of international gambling. And that's not what we need.”
Also attending the seminar, Rio de Janeiro Governor Wilson Witzel (PSC) informed that the State could invest up to R$ 100 million (US$ 24.3m) in tourism promotion during 2020. The amount is four times higher than the total disbursed this year (about R$ 20 million -US$ 4.85m) for this purpose.
In his speech, Witzel said that at least R$ 40 million (US$ 9.75m) are already guaranteed for Rio de Janeiro's tourism promotion next year. "But if [the Secretariat of Tourism] has arm and leg, we can reach up to R$ 100 million (US$ 24.3m)," said the governor.
Part of the funds will be allocated to the opening of six tourist representation centers in Rio de Janeiro abroad, based on public competition. The plans include two units in the United States, two in Europe and two more in South America. According to Otávio Leite, the estimated total cost of the project will be R$ 2.4 million (US$ 585,000) per year. “There is a lack of information from Brazil out there, more accurate information,” said Governor Witzel.
Over the past year 7.12 million tourists have visited Rio de Janeiro, according to data compiled by the Rio Convention & Visitors Bureau. Of this total, 5.42 million were international visitors, and 1.66 million were national ones.
Source: Rodrigo Carro - Valor Economico
