According to calculations made by the IBGE and analysts of the FGV-SP, Brazil will only have chances of GDP recovery in 2022. Therefore, starting with alternatives that envisage advances in the economy has been the current discussion of parliamentarians who are in favor of the gaming legalization in the country.
Contrary to what is seen in movies, casino games are not present only in Las Vegas. It is an activity practiced in several parts of the world responsible for moving the economy and attracting attention of the tourists. Unlike this worldwide trend, Brazil is one of the few countries alongside only 36 other nations where sports betting and casino gambling are not legalized.
Brazilians and tourists visit LatAm countries in search of casino games
Uruguay is an example in South America when talking about the liberation of casino games. The regulation of the practice brought to the country the approximate profit of 212 million in 2016 according to information of Javier Chá, head of the Uruguayan Council of Control of Casinos.
There are more than 4.2 million foreigners that choose the country as a destination. Brazilians account for about 50% of the revenue from casinos in Uruguay, which mainly counts on foreigners for their economic movement. Only in 2017, approximately 500 thousand Brazilians visited Uruguay to have fun in casinos.
Resorts with casino games also move and collaborate with the economy of Argentina. The growth in the sector is expansive. In the northern city of Misiones, for example, there are about 11 gaming venues.
The spaces for betting and gaming are massively present in the country, from luxurious resorts to environments that explore the local nature like Mendonza, next to the Andes mountains.
The liberation of casino games in South America attracted attention and aroused the interest of Bolivia, which in recent years had a significant growth in the economy with an average of 4.3%.
Figures show that tourism and hospitality can increase their contribution to economic development. Examples of this can be seen in Brazil’s neighbors where casinos are regulated. Chileans, for example, rose 14.3% over the previous year with various incentives and training for agents in the sector and advertising campaigns in other countries.
The incentive to build hotels in small cities, in addition to the approval of a special 9% rate on income, boosted a 35.8% growth in Colombia, which accumulated almost 4 million visitors between January and May.
While Brazil's neighbors point to economic growth, such as Paraguay (4.1%), Peru (4%) and Uruguay (1.5%), Brazil dropped 3.6% in 2016. In 2017, it was up 1.0%, but not significant in relation to the previous period.
The countries mentioned above, except Brazil, have different approaches in public administration, but something in common: the legalization of casino games and consequently the economic contributions that may arise with the activity.
Senate discusses the release of casinos in Brazil
The scenario of successes among countries that have legalized gambling and betting games for some time draws the attention of the Senate to approve the activity in the country.
Although there is no current legalization for online sports betting and casino games in Brazil, 4 billion a year is moved among the 500 foreign websites that are spread across the web.
Putting into force laws that release sports betting and casino games would bring legal rules to companies, such as tax payments and government oversight of money laundering.
Another argument for the legalization of the activity is that the lack of regulation in force damages not only the popular economy that gives up those profits, but also the Brazilian player himself who is unprotected due to lack of monitoring.
For some time, bills aimed at legalizing gambling and betting in Brazil are discussed in Brasilia. Since 2015, the project of Deputy Blairo Maggi has been discussed. Now the bill (PSL 186/2014), which aims to release games like bingos, sports betting and other modalities, is ready to be voted by the Senate.
Arguments in favor of the legalization of casino games and sports betting in Brazil:
1. Extracting taxes and supervising the activity carried out in the country would help to reverse profits in economic improvements and social practices;
2. While the country does not regularize the practice, foreign countries win the online market and invest in Brazilian players;
3. It is estimated that the online sports betting market can move around USD 1.65 billion;
4. Brazil lags behind other countries in Latin America that already have regularization for casino games and sports betting;
5. Failing to regularize the activity in the country will not prevent people from betting, but opens doors to the clandestine market and puts at risk Brazilian bettors.
Source: GMB / Aguaboanews.com.br
