Before talking about the regulatory framework for gaming, Waldir Marques Jr, SECAP-ME Undersecretary of Evaluation and Lotteries, described the structure of the agency and recalled that the undersecretary is reformulating the privatization process of Lotex, while working on the regulation of the sports betting sector.
He then focused on the issue of gaming regulation in Brazil. “We are very concerned about training personnel and we have an excellent framework to contribute to discussions on a broad law for the activity in the country. We want to bring the world's best practices in the gaming area to an adequate regulatory structure for Brazil,” he explained.
Bruno Omori, president of the Institute for Development, Tourism, Culture, Sport and Environment - IDT-CEMA, highlighted the importance of approving a regulatory framework for gaming in Brazil with the objective of attracting investments, jobs and tourism. “The list of casinos and games represents 10% of the GDP in the world and it will not be different in Brazil. We are the first country in the world with its resources to attract tourists and offer tools to attract new visitors,” he said.
According to him, 71.16% of the countries of the World Tourism Organization have legalized gambling, and 93% among the G20 countries. “So, we need legislation for the activity in order to bring Brazil to economic modernity and remove the various existing offers from illegality. The approval of the sector should be seen as a macroeconomic policy, as it can reach US$ 70 billion in investments, hundreds of thousands of jobs and collection of billions in taxes, in addition to strengthening the destination Brazil,” he defended.
Therefore, he defended the implementation of casinos in integrated resorts, casino hotels, urban casinos and bingos, as well as a wide range of online games. “Among the positive points, the first thing is to reduce illegal gambling, which does not generate revenue or protection for the player. We are out of a US$ 527 billion market, currently a number that represents the economic strength of the casino production chain. So, it is high time for Brazil to approve a milestone for the sector in the country,” described Omori.
Raul Lima Neto, President of the Brazilian Jockey Club, stated that the countries that regulated the activity had the best returns from an economic, tax and employment point of view. "Activities aimed at leisure, sports and entertainment can be added to the activities of the Jockey Club Brasileiro, which allows reinvestment in Brazilian horse racing," he commented, comparing the actions that are carried out at the racecourses of Maroñas, in Uruguay, and Palermo, in Argentina.
“We must follow these successful examples and the Jockey Club Brasileiro, like other counterparts, does not have expertise in the gaming area, which is why we must establish partnerships with operators to make the business beneficial to turf and to Brazilian society. The regulation of gaming cannot leave turf out of this important moment for the economy.”
Daniel Homem de Carvalho, former President of Loterj and Secretary of the Special Committee on Sports Games, Lottery and Entertainment Law at OAB Nacional, said that “gaming is not prohibited in Brazil, it is prohibited for the private sector in the country. The exploitation of games of chance happens by Caixa Econômica Federal.”
He stated that “with each passing day, the government loses tax revenue, so it is high time to implement a minimum regulation so that the country can generate taxes, development and jobs.”
Antônio Dias, from Resors Brazil representing this segment, said that the regulation of casinos will contribute to the recovery of the hotel sector, which was heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The criteria indicated in Bill 442/91, in his assessment, as the definition of spaces for the gaming area, "are extremely positive and we believe that this should be required, in order to maintain the concept of casino in an integrated resort", making the Brazilian Association of Resorts available to all discussions on the subject so that the maximum possible benefits for the country can be achieved with the implementation of casinos, especially regarding the generation of employment and income and tax revenue.
Magno José, President of Legal Gaming Institute, explained the projects under discussion in Brazil and that it is important that the country does not limit gambling to large casinos in mega resorts, but a law that covers all verticals, allowing investments at various levels, enabling the participation of national entrepreneurs as well, and not just big entrepreneurs in the Las Vegas style.
“Brazil cannot do without taxes on the more than R$ 27 billion (US% 5.15bn) generated by illegal gaming, nor on the more than R$ 10 billion (US$ 1.9bn) generated by sports betting, legalized but not yet regulated. Bookmakers have already invested more than R$600 million (US$ 115m) in media”, he highlighted.
According to him, “the State should not encourage gaming, it should allow and supervise it. The three main arguments of those who oppose the activity are the difficulty of control, addiction and money laundering. All over the world this has always been fought. Caixa Econômica Federal controls its network of more than 13 thousand lottery retailers, as well as the Federal Revenue Service controls taxes. So, we have the necessary tools to control the gaming sector as well. The same is true for addiction, as responsible gaming is the main flag of the sector in countries where the activity is regulated and one of the most used policies is self-inclusion, in which the compulsive gambler - or his family - can include his name on the list of those who will not be allowed to play.”
Deputy Roberto de Lucena (Pode-SP), Vice-President of the Tourism Commission, spoke about the formation of a WG to re-discuss the regulatory framework for gaming in Brazil “and we have access to figures on the generation of taxes, income and jobs, but the costs of all this need to be spelled out as well so that everyone can see and understand the reality of the gaming industry fully. I lack more knowledge on the subject to be convinced of the real benefits of the activity and I will carefully follow all the discussions of the WG.”
Deputy Marx Beltrão PSD-AL), former Minister of Tourism, said that his mission is in defense of employment and income generation and the approval of a regulatory framework for the sector is urgent. “I feel ashamed to see that for 30 years we have been discussing the topic and so far we have not reached a consensus to bring wealth, employment and income, with so many people suffering from hunger,” he said.
Deputy Newton Cardoso Jr (MDB-MG) took his support for the regulation of the sector in Brazil, stating categorically that the country does not prohibit games, but employment and wealth.
“We see gaming spread all over the country's streets and it is time for people to formalize their jobs and Brazil at the same time ensure the development of tourism in the country. This sector, which today has great potential for generating jobs, will greatly reduce the 15 million unemployed. It is a matter of national sovereignty, we approve this cause,” he decreed, recalling that the examples are there, citing Macau as a great tourist destination, Portugal with robust legislation and Japan, which is about to have the activity implemented and which will receive large investments.
Source: GMB
