GMB - How do you evaluate the process of gaming legalization in Brazil?
Regis de Oliveira - The progress is in accordance with the structure of the National Congress. Everything happens to the taste of immediate interests at stake. Now we are in pause due to the proximity of the elections. No one wants to commit to gambling. It is, let's say, sensitive. It is absolutely urgent that we legalize all gaming activities. It will be a great advance in relation to the criticisms that are made: ludopathy and possibility of money laundering. There's a lot of hypocrisy about that. Gaming addiction occurs and will occur. The important thing to do is to foresee mechanisms to limit addiction (internal control of casinos and bingo houses, identification of gamblers, contact with their families, all together). Money laundering can be absolutely controlled because everything will be electronic and, as we all know, there are compatible instruments for full control. The software can be shared between gaming house owners and federal revenue.
It is a moment where everything seems stopped due to the elections. Is there any movement or advance in the legislative houses regarding gaming issue?
The projects are stopped for consideration by the Plenary in both legislative Houses. One, is a report from Senator Benedito de Lira and awaits placement. Nothing will happen until after the elections. And the same happens with the draft report of deputy Mussi. Both contain appropriate material for the approval of the so-called regulatory framework of gaming.
Are you in favor of legalizing all gaming activity or starting with some sectors first, such as casinos in resorts, for example?
I am in favor of the legalization of all kind of games, including opening of casinos with their traditional games, bingo in specialized houses, which would resurrect jockeys clubs in the country and also legalization of jogo do bicho. This is what prompted the fence of freedom of play in Brazil by former President Dutra, so long ago. I think everyone will be nice to the full opening of the activity. This will result in greater tax collection, legalize numerous professionals who are on the margins of society (especially in the jogo do bicho), open numerous jobs, such as musicians, bartenders, croupiers, security, hotel, laundry, etc. The data we have speaks of 400 thousand jobs that will be legalized and more than 500 thousand that will be opened throughout the country. There are, therefore, only advantages in legalizing gaming.
The Senate bill failed to evolve ... do you believe that it is buried and that hopes should be placed on the House of Representatives bill?
There is no symptom that the bill in the Senate was buried. The impression was given because of the vote in the CCJ. The fact is irrelevant. No one wanted to commit to approval before the elections. In addition, the voting has no effect, except what we wanted to send the project to the Plenary. In this, the vote may be totally different, because all the senators will vote. We are convinced that it will be approved when it is discussed and voted on.
As a specialist lawyer, do you receive many inquiries from Brazilian or foreign companies that wish to invest in Brazil? What are the main doubts?
There is a lot of demand for legal advice. The first perplexity concerns the instability in the course of the matter and the terms in which the law to be edited will come. There is insecurity in the investment. Entrepreneurs want a minimum of security to start looking for real estate and investing heavily. Especially the investors in casinos. The basic doubt concerns the guarantees they will have if they bring financial resources to the country.
We have worked hard and seriously for the approval of gaming. First point that seems to me strong is the right of people's freedom to be able to bet on what they want and make use of their money wherever they want. According to me it seems that the prohibition betting is incompatible with the Federal Constitution. The exploration of gaming is a business activity and as such guaranteed by arts. 170 and 173 of the Federal Constitution. The previous prohibitive rule is incompatible and therefore does not apply after the text of the new Constitution. This is the subject that is under discussion in the Federal Supreme Court. Once the matter is decided, gaming will be free in the country.
Have you followed the failure of the LOTEX concession process? In your opinion, why did the process have this result? What do you believe can be done so that the project does not fall definitively?
In relation to LOTEX, everything in the National Congress is surprising. I have been deputy in two legislatures. Things happen in an unpredictable way. With every change of wind, the prospects change. Hence the insecurity that concerns the approval of gaming.
What is your opinion on the subject of sports betting? Does Brazil seem to be taking too long to have a serious project for the modality to be legalized?
The approval of the text of a law on the regulatory framework of gaming will reach all modalities, including sports betting. Online gaming is already a reality. Anyone can play, but only on foreign websites. The parliamentarians is incompetent even in this. It helps foreign companies over national ones.
Source: Exclusive GMB
