Casinos have been banned in Brazil since 1946, and in recent years, their liberation and regulation and of other gambling modalities is a usually debated issue in the House and Senate. For this reason, a special commission met to discuss the liberation of the activity, in order to regulate local poplar “jogo do bicho”, bingos, casinos, and sports betting in the country, bringing a new light to a segment that lives long under this illegality. (PL 442)
"The Country has lost for more than 70 years a great contribution in several areas but especially in tourism, not investing in this segment. 600 thousand jobs would be generated with the liberation of the gaming market, we would have an expected collection of 30 billion reais (US$ 7.3bn) in taxes per year, an extremely important number that would contribute to the recovery of the Brazilian primary deficit, which today is very serious. Such activity, as with few casinos in Brazil, would allow a very specific contribution to the recovery of the Brazilian economy," said Newton Cardoso.
"When you take away the informality, you generate employment. This formality will bring the collection," explained Red Maria. "We have a lot to do yet. I have no doubt that this legislature will certainly make a difference. We must modernize this country; Brazil can’t keep banning casinos! Tourism is ready, we have nature, we have what to show to the people, it is enough that political interests do not disturb the tourist trade in Brazil," he added.
Herculano Passos sees tourism as an economic and social driver capable of taking Brazil out of the crisis. "When we talk about casinos, we are wasting time and money, failing to raise taxes and generate jobs in formality. We must approve this matter and I think the moment is right in the Chamber of Deputies. After the approval of the pension reform I am sure that this debate will evolve," said the deputy.
Herculano resumed the theme of the liberation of the gaming market remembering the counterpoint that exists with the evangelical bench, which is against. "They have no argument, since in most Christian countries gaming is legalized. I already know many realities of success. Example of Singapore - from the legalization of casinos, the number of conventions, tourists, etc. increased. It is important to remember that everything will be regulated by the federal government. It is not only the casino that generates wealth, many events are linked to this attraction. The casino is call of development," he predicted.
As a success story, Herculano cited Singapore, which after the release of casinos, had an increase in the flow of tourists, which grew from 10 million foreign ones a year to 18 million. "The casino is the call of development and it would have a huge contribution in the Brazilian economy," said Passos. Ricardo Guidi stated that the tourism commission will do its utmost to make a difference and improve the national tourism scene. "The casino can greatly increase tourism in Brazil, it is an important agenda and must be released for the benefit of all. We must take this issue and try to resolve it as soon as possible, "he said.
A federal deputy of Santa Catarina, Guidi added: "Brazil only has to win. We cannot waste more time. We will take Brazil out of informality and it will benefit everyone."
Current situation of the project
In the Senate of the Republic, PLS 186 of 2014, which deals with the legalization of games of chance, had a negative opinion in the Special Commission that analyzed it. Now, it is ready to be voted in Plenary, but by the end of last year, the approval forecast was not good. In the Federal Chamber, PL 442 of 1991 was approved by the Special Commission of the Regulatory Framework of Gaming in Brazil.
This project is very similar to that of the Senate, but it is more complete, stipulating, for example, the area that casinos should occupy within these integrated leisure complexes. Here, the possibility of approval of the project seems better than in the Senate and there is also a positive sign on the part of the new Tourism Minister, Marcelo Álvaro Antônio, indicating that the government should be favorable to opening the casinos in Brazil.
Source: GMB / mercado&eventos
Photo credit: Chico Brasileiro (mayor of Foz do Iguaçu), Deputy Federal Vermelho Maria, Newton Cardoso Jr, Gisele Lima (Promo Director), Federal Deputy. Herculano Passos, Federal Deputy Renato Guidi and Roy Taylor (CEO of the newspaper Mercado e Eventos) - Credit DT)
