The text being debated in the Chamber is a substitute for bill 442/91. It was presented by Deputy Felipe Carreras (PSB-PE) on behalf of the working group that analyzed the topic. The discussion, according to the news agency Câmara de Notícias, will remain open after the recess, for the presentation of amendments, highlights and re-discussion.
Deputy Herculano Passos is part of the Chamber's working group. He explained that, with the legalization of games in the country, the estimate is for a collection of R$ 20 billion per year, in addition to the creation of 650,000 direct jobs.
In the state, the president of the Brazilian Association of the Espírito Santo Hotel Industry (ABIH-ES), Gustavo Guimarães, estimates that the creation of a casino will create 7,500 jobs, 1,500 of which are direct and 6,000 indirect.
"Without a doubt, it is an excellent increase for tourist activity and, consequently, for bars and restaurants," said the president of the Union of Restaurants, Bars and Similar in Espírito Santo (SindBares), Rodrigo Vervloet.
However, Rodrigo ponders: "It is a matter that has to be regulated very carefully so that it is not misrepresented and used for illicit purposes."
Accountant and advisor to the Espírito Santo Regional Accounting Council (CRC-ES), Mônica Porto believes that today the money from gaming ends up financing drug trafficking and involving money laundering. "When you have the business regulated, it's easier to avoid situations like these."
What changes in the state
With the legalization, it will be possible to open casinos and release at least 6,000 slot machines that currently operate clandestinely in the state, according to a source in the area.
It is estimated that the opening of casinos in the state will create 7,500 jobs, 1,500 of which are direct and 6,000 indirect.
In addition, it will move an entire chain, as it attracts tourists and, consequently, creates the need for new ventures, products and services.
Localization
In Espírito Santo, the most favorable places for the installation of casinos are Guarapari and Pedra Azul, since the minimum infrastructure is required, and the bill that provides for the release establishes that they are installed in tourist resorts.
What the text says
The text can still be amended and highlighted and is open to discussion. But what is proposed through it is the legalization of all types of games and casinos. The replacement for the original bill being debated in the Chamber proposes that the number of casinos per state be linked to the number of inhabitants.
Number of casinos
According to the text, states with up to 15 million inhabitants will be able to have a casino integrated with a resort. States that have between 15 million and 25 million inhabitants may have two. While those with more than 25 million inhabitants may have three.
Only states that have an integrated casino will have a tourist casino. For each integrated casino, there may be two tourist attractions, which are at least 100 km away from the integrated casino operation.
Destination of the money
The replacement for the original bill under debate in the Chamber also establishes, in addition to the current tax burden (ISS, PIS/Pasep and Cofins, IRPJ and CSLL), Cide-Jogos. In it, the rates will be 20% for online games and casinos, and 10% for others.
The resources coming from Cide-Jogos will be distributed as follows:
- 50% for Municipal Participation Fund.
- 25% for the State Participation Fund.
- 4% for the Brazilian Agency for the International Promotion of Tourism (Embratur).
- 3% for funding programs and health actions related to gambling addiction.
- 3% for financing programs and actions within the scope of the national policy to protect players and gamblers.
- 3% for the National Public Security Fund.
- 3% for financing programs and actions in the area of sport.
- 3% to finance animal defense and protection programs and actions.
- 3% for the National Culture fund.
- 3% for the National Fund for Children and Adolescents.
Winners
Tax on prize-winning individuals will be 30% on net earnings.
Oversight
The licenses, according to the news agency Câmara de Notícias, will be granted through auctions, and the games will be overseen by a federal regulatory and supervisory body.
The text also provides that "operating entities must annually undergo an operational audit aimed at verifying the safety, honesty, reliability, transparency and up-to-dateness of systems, gaming and betting machines, as well as electronic sites used to offer games and betting.”
Share capital
The company interested in exploring games of chance must be incorporated under Brazilian law, with headquarters and administration in the country and have a minimum share capital of:
I – Bingo houses: R$ 10 million (US$1.77m).
II – Machine operators: R$ 20 million (US$3.54m).
III – Casinos: R$100 million (US$17.7m).
Source: Verônica Aguiar e Ludmila Azevedo, from ‘A Tribuna’ newspaper
