In the opinion of deputy Herculano Passos, coordinator of the parliamentary front for tourism, the legalization of gaming in Brazil can increase tax revenue, in addition to generating employment and income in a segment that is currently almost entirely illegal. The estimate is that the authorization could generate R$ 20 billion (US$ 3.8bln) in taxes each year, still below the world average, in which gamings normally move the equivalent of 1% of the countries' gross domestic product.
"In addition to the R$ 20 billion (US$ 3.8bln) in taxes, generated only by the casinos, around 650 thousand jobs will be created in Brazil with the inclusion of the jogo do bicho and bingo," he evaluated.
Of the amount foreseen, a project on the topic under discussion in the Chamber, prepared after debate in a specific working group, specifies that half goes to the participation funds of states and municipalities. Another part, according to the parliamentarian, will be destined to the treatment of so-called ludopaths, compulsive gamblers who compromise their own or family subsistence due to addiction to gaming.
“I have always defended the legalization of casinos as a clean tourist facility, which generates taxes, jobs and income, unlike casinos that operate clandestinely, which do not generate taxes or provide security and stability to workers,” he said.
According to him, “tourism needs the legalization of casinos, because Brazilians who want to play legally travel outside Brazil, while those who want to play in illegal casinos have no protection. We understand that legalizing casinos will generate taxes and jobs.”
For him, the approval of the urgency for discussion and voting of Bill 442/91 was essential for amendments to be presented and the matter to be discussed. “We hope to guide and vote on the project as soon as possible, as the topic has already been discussed a lot. This project has been at the House for 31 years and a lot has been said about the topic, and I understand that it will be very good for Brazil as a whole and for tourism in our country,” he said.
Herculano Passos cited the example of Singapore, where casinos in resorts were approved and the country jumped from 9 to 21 million tourists a year. “A country with 5 million inhabitants started to receive this immense amount of tourists, who generate jobs and income. In Brazil, with almost 215 million inhabitants, we receive only 6 million tourists. With resort casinos, we are going to substantially increase this tourist flow,” he stated.
Passos also contests the fear that legalization will increase the incidence of crimes such as money laundering, tax evasion and corruption, claiming that illegal gamings facilitate these practices, as they are not controlled by the government. According to the project, any winnings from gaming above R$ 10,000 (US$ 1,900) must be communicated to the tax control bodies.
“Crime exists everywhere, but it happens much more underground. With legal gaming, everything is declared and Brazil is able to supervise all financial movement generated in a legal activity,” he concluded.
Source: GMB
