Luiz Carlos Prestes Filho: What is the institutional vision of the Government of the State of Sao Paulo in relation to the referrals in the National Congress and the STF that may soon regulate the Money Betting Games administered by the private sector in Brazil?
Vinicius Lummertz: The government maintains a strategic position to support the implementation of casinos in integrated resorts within the State of Sao Paulo. The investments that the business model can bring can reach R$ 6 billion (US$1.1b) and generate a hotel demand and an incentive for the sector with the potential to bring out the tourist vocation and regional development. In the case of Marina Bay Sands, in Singapore, where tourism went from nine million to 17 million tourists on account of the enterprise, success is precisely in the mix of the complex that integrates entertainment, accommodation, shopping and casino. The gaming sector is a part of this movement, it is one of the variables that can boost tourist activity. Beside it, the events, the arts and, of course, business.
In Brazil it was already like that, the bases of most cultural movements that appeared in Brazilian cinema and television passed through the casino of Urca in the 40s. I believe that the regulated experience in Brazil can cure another problem, which is illegal gambling and the evasion of resources from Brazil. If Brazilians travel abroad to play, they could be doing it here. It does not mean, however, that we are in favor of a general opening to all games of chance. But it is possible to successfully make gaming in tourist complexes viable.
At a crisis time like this, created by COVID-19, would the regulation open up opportunities for the Tourism sector? Which ones?
Tourism activity, in general, should be seen as a fundamental part of the economic recovery. The tourist structure did not break up with the pandemic, the attractions are ready, although the visitors are fewer. We need to recover lost jobs in more than 52 sectors directly related to tourism. I believe that it is always the time to discuss these issues in order to make them feasible, even if they happen in the long term. Now, we are very focused on supporting companies that are experiencing financial difficulties, through working capital, and enabling projects that are already advanced, such as the scenic and tourist routes in the state of Sao Paulo.
The World Gaming Economy Productive Chain promotes activities in casinos and bingo halls. It also hosts major gaming business fairs. Would the Government of the State of Sao Paulo intend to attract these international fairs?
We would certainly like to be part of the circuit, always in the sense of projecting the state and the country, in addition to bringing development based on tourist activity, respecting the current legislation, and investing in inspection.
Has the time not come to promote a major business and institutional congress on gaming regulation in Brazil?
We are the only country in Latin America that does not have regulated gaming. The story is old and at all times we have new bills that try to bring the topic to the debate. We do have to mobilize ourselves, promote responsible debates and learn from the good practices we have outside the country, in order to create a model tailored for us.
Is the bill that regulates Cassinos Resort in the focus of your Tourism Secretariat?
We follow the topic as enthusiasts and position ourselves whenever possible. The government's position is that resorts integrated with casinos are a great opportunity to generate employment and tourism infrastructure. But the decision has to be agreed. The debate must be mature in society in order to move forward.
Which cities in the State of Sao Paulo have the most potential for the Casino / Tourism business?
There are several cities with this type of vocation, in the interior and on the coast of the country. I can say that there would be no lack of opportunities for investors, but that decisions like this involve city halls and businessmen and that they can only be taken in the face of concrete situations.
Should part of the revenue from the gaming business be directed towards strengthening the tourism industries?
Tourism would already benefit from the installation directly. Funds could be reallocated for a variety of purposes, such as regional development of specific regions, for health and education.
Luiz Carlos Prestes Filho
Executive Director of the newspaper Tribuna da Imprensa Livre; Filmmaker, graduated in Documentary Film Direction for Television and Cinema from the State Film Institute of the Soviet Union; Specialist in Cultural Economy and Local Economic Development; He coordinated studies on the contribution of Culture to the GDP of the State of Rio de Janeiro (2002) and on the productive chains of the Music Economy (2005) and Carnival (2009); He is the author of the book “The Greatest Show on Earth - 30 years of the Sambadrome” (2015).
Source: Tribuna de Imprensa Livre
