Whenever I see the direction of Brazil from an economic point of view, I wonder why the gambling sector is left out, since it is an excellent source of income and jobs. And even more so in this moment of serious financial crisis caused by the COVID-19. With the possibility of turning around R$ 70 billion (US$12.15b) in the economy, the sector would be able to substantially reduce the deficit of almost US$42.85 billion.
But not. Parliamentarians have not yet had the necessary courage to address the issue and take advantage of the serious moment that Brazil is going through to create a new and important source of taxes and jobs, which is so lacking at the moment. Except for some defenders of the activity in a broad way, such as Senator Angelo Coronel, or Senator Irajá with his project only for resorts in casinos, little is said on the subject in the National Congress.
Everyone knows that gambling is not the solution for any economy in the world. But to neglect an activity that generates entertainment, tourism, taxes, and jobs is at least a lack of economic sensitivity. The Minister of Economy, Paulo Guedes, on several occasions, said that the regulation of gambling in Brazil is something interesting and deserves discussion. Recently, he even received Senator Irajá, who presented a project for resorts in casinos and was impressed with the investments that the activity can bring to Brazil. That is, he knows and understands numbers.
Senator Angelo Coronel never tires of mentioning that the sector can generate R$ 70 billion (US$12.15b) and more than 700 thousand direct jobs with the regulation of all verticals of the sector, such as resort casinos, urban casinos, bingo games and jogo do bicho. He said that in April his report will be delivered. That is, it will be the right time for his peers to pay attention to his speech and put the proposal to work.
Yesterday (29), Paraná Pesquisas published a survey conducted with 2,086 people in 194 municipalities in Brazil that points out that 58% of respondents are in favor of legalizing all types of gambling. In other words, even this signaling by society should be considered by parliamentarians and continue with the approval of the activity in Brazil.
Not being included in the approved Budget does not mean that the gambling sector was forgotten or shelved, but I understand that if the National Congress treats the issue as relevant and urgent, in the face of the economic crisis that is plaguing the country, we have the chance to regulate the sector this year. The Paraná Pesquisas study itself points out that 56.8% of respondents were in favor of the resources generated could be directed towards the payment of emergency aid during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, there is a deputy who presents a project that prohibits foreign names for Brazilian companies. What's this? Is it not time for greater seriousness in the National Congress?
Returning to the issue of gambling, will the National Congress wait for a favorable decision from the STF, in the vote on General Repercussion 966.177, and lose the hand of being the leader of the regulation of the activity in Brazil? Within a month the country will turn 75 without gambling. It is time to change that, both to modernize the entertainment offerings and attract investment and tourists, as well as to minimize the effects of the serious economic crisis.
Gildo Mazza
GMB journalist, specializing in the gambling sector for 25 years
