Rio has been visited by casino owners, who run the largest projects on the
planet. Industry giants are coming to town to analyze options and already
demonstrate intention to install seven or eight casinos here. Not in other
places in the country.
Given the behavior of the market, it is natural to think that it makes sense
for the country to create the first district of the casino industry in Rio, as
a pilot project for Brazil. For the unquestionable tourist and cultural
vocation of the city, for the recent investments in infrastructure,
transportation, airports - all tested and approved by the visitors we have
received in the World Cup and in the Olympics - by the recognized experience in
the entertainment and gastronomy industry and the wide network installed hotel.
By choosing a model focused on Rio, Brazil has the chance to promote the
development of the sector and can more efficiently manage the necessary operational
and fiscal controls. The collection of royalties and the participation in the
concessions of the casinos in Rio will generate revenues that will be
distributed to the other states, after all, estimates indicate that 70% of them
are not attractive to the casinos sector.
The CEOs of the big international groups want to invest a few billion in the
development of this still unexplored market in Brazil. Investment that would
cover sectors such as Civil Construction, Information Technology, Hospitality;
all with great potential for job creation. In addition, it is necessary and
urgent to occupy Porto Maravilha and Barra da Tijuca, areas renewed for the
Olympic Games that need functions to justify the investments already made.
Rio de Janeiro has qualities to enter the group of the cities in which gaming
was legalized and developed the industry around. And experience shows that only
a third of this revenue comes from the activity of gaming itself. The largest
volume of funds comes from the service structure developed around casinos. Las
Vegas, for example, is now one of the most popular destinations for large
events and conventions, occupying 97% of hotels.
The advantages are unequivocal. It is estimated that only the implementation of
casinos will bring between US$ 19 and US$ 25.5 billion of new money.
Considering the average of 30% of taxation of gaminge in the world, collection
would be US$ 7.65 billion. And nothing prevents other states, as they attract
investments and assimilate the experience of the Rio de Janeiro casino center,
to create their own market.
So everyone wins. Especially Brazil, that needs to see a light at the end of
the tunnel and the economy walking again. The world gives signals that are
watching the opportunities that may arise in our country and not only in our
crises and scandals, which, let's agree, is great news.
Sérgio Ricardo de Almeida is president of the Lottery of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Loterj)
Source: GMB / O Globo