Prestes Filho: What is your institutional view regarding the regulation of the gaming sector?
Joarez Carlos Martins: I understand that the Municipality of Lambari could be a reference in money betting games in Minas Gerais, perhaps in Brazil. We have a historical tradition in this area. We have a wonderful building in the city, which is the Lambari Casino, built in 1911. Even the then President of the Republic, Marshal Hermes da Fonseca, was present at its inauguration.
Does the moment offer opportunities with regulation?
The COVID-19 pandemic created serious difficulties for Brazilian municipalities. A sharp drop in investments, due to scarce resources. The regulation could contribute to improving our collection. If the casinos were working, we would be receiving a visit from a different audience. Both from the upper class in Brazil, as well as from many foreigners. Our city with a casino, whether inside a specific hotel or building, would tend to receive private investments. Here we would have five-star hotels and fine, quality restaurants. With this, all links in the tourism productive chain would benefit: furniture industry, cultural production, software manufacturers, bars and restaurants, among others.
Should Lambari’s Municipal Government plan immediate actions if the gaming sector is regulated?
I think it would be interesting to hold gaming business fairs here every year. This type of event contributes to the qualification of entrepreneurs and the specific workforce. They generate a flow of dividends to the city. It would be important for generating jobs and promoting the development of tourism in our city. Lambari cannot be the last in line. I repeat, we have tradition, so we must rescue our traditions, invest our intellectual capital to rescue the Golden Age of the Casinos of Minas Gerais.
There is no consensus on regulation...
We have to debate the topic in depth, who knows, to promote a business and government congress on gaming in Brazil. We are the only country in Latin America that does not have a regulated gaming sector! Why do we live 70 years in this situation? Brazil has to mirror the neighboring countries that have regulated, which receive Brazilians who are prohibited from playing in their country. Did it work in Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Peru… why wouldn't it work in Brazil?
Does the bill that regulates casinos in resorts benefit Lambari?
As I highlighted above, we have a large historic building in the city that was built in the 1911s and functioned as a casino. But today, this building is prepared to receive a museum. Knowing the building and current technologies used in several casinos around the world, I understand that the construction of a Casino Hotel Resort would better meet our demands.
Which city in the State of Minas Gerais has the most potential for the Casino / Bingo / Tourism business? As I am Lambariense, I can say that Lambari is that city with great potential. The City Council and the Executive, businessmen and our people embrace the proposal to return to the casinos. We are with open arms for future investors.
How should the tax revenue generated by betting activities be used?
Part of the collection should be invested in tourism infrastructure, safety, and health. On this point, I agree with the tourism specialist, Ana Paula Nunes, who is an expert in Public Management. She, who visited casinos in Baden Baden, Germany, Monaco and Curaçao, in the Caribbean, realized that the general public wants to stay inside an exclusive complex. This concentration favors control and inspection. For this reason, she believes that for Lambari, Casino Resorts could be interesting. The taxes collected at Casinos Resorts are more predictable. This allows for planning investments in the areas of public security, tourism infrastructure, health, and social welfare.
Source: Luiz Carlos Prestes Filho – Executive Director of Tribuna da Imprensa Livre newspaper
