GMB - Zitro, a company with a Brazilian DNA, is present in the main gaming markets around the world. How do you see the lack of a final decision on the regulation of the sector in Brazil?
Johnny Ortiz: It's a shame because it's the country itself the one that loses the most with this lack of decision. Zitro is received in all countries with open
arms, because in our industry we generate a huge amount of jobs and without a doubt taxes that benefit the entire population. I also think that the government should place technical people from all areas to take care of this controversial subject and give only one example among hundreds:
ludopathy.
All over the
world there are people with gaming
adiction being the activity legal or not, as it happens right now in Brazil and we can even see in the novels. It is something inherent to the human condition. But there is a big difference where gaming is legalized, because in these countries the industry itself takes care of these people, taking a high cost that is paid by the government, but in the end, it is the Brazilians who pay the bill. And more than that, as well as caring for those who have the disease, there is a prohibition record that
menos that those included are not allowed to play in any establishment. This is something that should be included in a future law in the Brazil. Just as the alcohol prohibition did not work in the United States and the only thing that caused was the generation of violence and the emergence of gangsters, prohibition of legal gambling makes illegal gambling exist and the government does not receive a penny of taxes, and workers do not have a formal contract or assistance. In addition, it still generates a huge corruption, which is the portrait of what we are seeing today in Brazil, unfortunately.
During the
BgC last June, it became clear the need for Brazil to enter the global gaming market, but so far little has been done. What is your assessment of the opinions published in the media - and especially by our portal - about the slow steps that the Brazilian parliament is taking to approve a broad law for the activity?
There is a saying that the worst blind is the one who does not want to see. It is very difficult to fight with people who do not want to see the truth and have a totally wrong prejudice. Therefore, as I said above, we should have "experts"
in the subject and show the reality naked and what all the press of our industry has been repeating: only Brazil and Cuba does not have legalized gaming, except for the Muslim countries, where alcohol is also prohibited. The media generally stand against it, but I have no doubt that it is due to ignorance.
Brazil has received important world figures in recent months in search of a deeper understanding of Brazil's possibilities, such as Sheldon Adelson of Las Vegas Sands and Jan Jones of Caesars. Were they hurrying or came on time to study whether the planned investments could be consolidated?
There are no rushed visits in my
opinion, because these people and companies were the most famous that visited Brazil and shows how important is legalized gaming in Brazil. Just look at many other aspects of the value generated from taxes and jobs only with these two companies in the United States and remember that in Las Vegas today, the highest billing does not come from gaming but from non-gambling and is a great pole of attraction
of tourists, remembering that the city receives almost 5 million visitors per month, which is more than Brazil receives throughout the year. Impressive, isn’t it?
GMB - Why, in your evaluation, the approval of a gaming law in Brazil takes so long?
Due to a total lack of knowledge of what this industry is in the world and prejudices. But I also give another simple example. The IRS says it can not control the
activity, but there can be no greater absurdity than this. They control not only our lives but even our own bank accounts, which is much more difficult and complicated. Nowadays the control of gaming is perhaps the easiest industry to control in the world and Brazil does not have to invent anything, since everything is already invented, all you have to do is
copy. Our neighbors in Argentina have a great example in Buenos
Aires, because all the control is done online. Can there be a better control?
Can the political crisis postpone the sector regulation to next year?
The political crisis can postpone any issue in Brazil. Would it not be important to approve political, labor or fiscal reform?
Brazil will have elections next year for federal deputies and senators, most important actors for passage of the gaming law. Is this a positive or negative point for the activity?
As I also said above, it may be good if we are able to clearly demonstrate the benefits of legal gaming and the harms it is generating currently in Brazil, but as long as the actors in this soap opera play their role well.
How is Zitro moving to offer its experience in the global market, coupled with its knowledge of Brazil, to regain leadership in this segment?
Zitro is not only prepared to enter Brazil, it is ready to be the number one company in the
country, since we have a great experience in Brazil and in the world. I invite your readers to visit our stand at the Las Vegas trade show to see many new features, but mainly the new way to play bingo, because as we have always done at Zitro, we are innovating and now we will revolutionize the way
videobingo is played.
Source: Exclusive GMB
