GMB - Did the Brazilian market need to have a face-to-face event of this level?
Deputy Bacelar - The most important thing about BiS is that it is being produced by Brazilians and will be the first in-person event in the sector in the last two years. We are coming out of a global pandemic, going through an economic crisis, where unemployment is high, companies have been forced to close their doors, families are experiencing difficulties and inflation is increasing every day. Bringing together investors, entrepreneurs in the sports betting sector, lotteries, regulatory bodies and media outlets covering the topic, in a single space, is essential for the strengthening and development of the gaming market.
Can the strength of BiS and its dissemination in the media help to understand that this industry should be legalized for the benefit of the country?
The debate over the legalization of gambling is always healthy in a society that has fueled prejudice against this sector. Showing civil society, parliament, investors and businessmen that, with the creation of the Regulatory Framework, the country can only gain is essential and productive. I understand that BiS will play this role of disseminator. Furthermore, the way in which it has been disseminated reflects the relevance of the topic.
I believe that, unfortunately, there is still a lot of prejudice. Mainly, for the conservative and religious side, but we cannot ignore that gamingis a reality and part of the daily life of Brazilians. What we need to do is remove this sector from illegality and be consistent. The legalization of all types of betting is essential at this time.
What topics are you going to address or would you like to develop on your panel?
It is important to share with the gaming trade the difficulties we have been facing in the Chamber of Deputies to advance the Regulatory Framework for Gaming. I believe that it will also be a good opportunity to ask for the political involvement and collaboration of interested parties so that they can mobilize the parliamentarians from their bases to try to vote and approve Bill 442/91 later this year in the Plenary of the Chamber.
How do you analyze the growth of Brazil this year, especially in the area of sports betting? What are your expectations for 2022?
We are following the evolution of the sports betting market, which was legalized by Congress in the year 2018. We know that the Ministry of Economy is working to regulate this sector, but we are concerned that some of these sites are also offering online casino games without clear rules established by the state. This modality is included in the replacement for Bill 442/91, approved in 2016 by the Special Committee on the Regulatory Framework. At this time the Working Group is discussing whether to keep it. My defense will always be for the legalization of all verticals operated today.
At what point do you see the local gaming market in general and its evolution in 2021 from a political and regulatory point of view?
The subject gained much relevance, especially after Congressman Arthur Lira (PP/AL) assumed the presidency of the Chamber. Bill 442/91 that creates the Regulatory Framework for Gaming in Brazil was stuck in the House since 2016 (when we approved the replacement in the Special Committee), but this year we managed to bring the matter to the agenda again. The president created the Working Group, in which I am coordinator and the rapporteur is Deputy Felipe Carreras (PSB/PE), who is also engaged in the cause. Our intention is to streamline the processing of Bill442/91 so that it can be voted on in plenary later this year.
How are the discussions of the WG that you preside and is preparing the revision of Bill 442/91?
WG members are in synergy. We hold weekly meetings, discuss the new text, update the numbers and the modalities that will be regulated. At each meeting, we advance towards legalization. The parliament understands that in addition to raising public funds, generating employment and income, the release of gaming can be the main attraction for promotion, strengthening of Brazilian destinations, attraction and loyalty of tourists.
But the debate over legalization should not only be about investments or new tax revenues, nor the thousands of jobs it will create, as these arguments are obvious and can be proven through operations spread across five continents. The real challenge for the Legislative will be the creation of legislation that allows citizens to exercise their desire to play under the watchful eyes of clearly defined rules by the State and their effective application.
In the most recent discussions about gaming activity in Brazil, the main players believe that the country is closer than ever to regulation. Do you share the same opinion? Do you believe it is possible to approve all gaming verticals in Brazil during this next year?
I believe the time is ripe for stimulating and releasing activity. The WG is diversified and has the participation of parliamentarians who defend the legalization of urban and tourist casinos, of resorts integrated with casinos and those who believe that the most appropriate is the legalization of all types of games such as bingo, videogames or BR1, jogo do bicho and online gaming. We want to build a text that addresses all the wishes. I am sure that we will be able to reach our objective with dialogue and showing the parliament that Brazil is losing revenue, investments and jobs.
All about the Brazilian iGaming Summit (BiS)
Due to the health crisis, several events, trade shows and congresses had to be postponed or even canceled throughout 2020 and 2021; however, with the advance of immunization across the country, things are slowly returning to normality. Thus, the Brazilian iGaming Summit (BiS) will take place at Espaço Boulevard JK, in São Paulo, on December 1st and 2nd with the strategic partnership of Games Magazine Brasil, and will be attended by investors and entrepreneurs from diferente sectors such as sports betting, communication, affiliates, lotteries and regulators. For the first time, it will take place in a hybrid model, with real-time broadcasts and big screens spread throughout the conference space.
To ensure the safety of guests, event organizers will respect all recommended health safety protocols. With this, BiS will be the return point of in-person events for the gaming sector in Brazil and a great opportunity to connect entrepreneurs of the gaming market to the country's political personalities and actors involved in the regulation process. They will discuss and analyze what will be the next steps to pass legislation for the sector, and what are the trends for the development of this market in Brazil.
For more information, enter the event's official website.
To register for the Brazilian iGaming Summit, click here.
Source: GMB
