We know that the casino industry has been around the world for many years. This type of entertainment has stood out due to its power to attract a large audience and to encourage tourism and the local economy. In Brazil, the legalization of casinos has been debated for a long time in the National Congress, and no agreement on the subject has been established so far.
Recently, the subject came up again at the 103rd Extraordinary Meeting of the National Forum of State Secretaries and Directors of Tourism (Fornatur), where I was present in Brasília. On the occasion, the deputy rapporteur in the Plenary of the Chamber of Deputies of Bill 442/91 that provides for the release of casinos and games of chance in Brazil, Felipe Carreras (PSB-PE), pointed out that, with the resumption of this segment in the country, the Brazilian Agency for the International Promotion of Brazil (Embratur) could raise about 12%, or R$ 1 million per year to invest in communication and promote our country abroad.
I agree with the deputy's idea and, over the years, in my term as president of the Brazilian Federation of Accommodation and Food (FBHA), I have been reinforcing that the approval of the exploitation of gaming and betting in our country, in addition to serving as an instrument of promotion of tourism, will bring other benefits such as job and income generation and also regional development, making concrete mention of tourist service providers (such as hotels, bars and restaurants), as well as the game would enable a wide spectrum of resources for the functioning of the Embratur.
All over the world, we see casinos integrated into resorts, which for us would become a great attraction for Brazilian enterprises, as it would combine activities that go beyond relaxing in a hotel, bringing the proposal of fun and, certainly, greater profitability. This is because, generally, casino resorts attract an audience with greater purchasing power and who seek more refined experiences in just one location.
In our country it is hypocritical to say that there are no games of chance, since several events are sponsored by Bet, an online bookmaker, for example. If the virtual modality already exists, why don't we promote the same face-to-face modality? And, of course, properly regulated. I would point out that data from the Caixa Econômica Federal Lottery showed that this online betting company raised, in 2022, R$ 18.6 billion in the country. As one of the spokespersons for Brazilian tourism, I imagine part of this value being reversed in actions by Embratur and generating income and employment for thousands of Brazilians.
Finally, I am here again pressing this key for the National Congress to look and evaluate carefully the importance of this project so that, in the near future, it will become reality and bring this great investment to our tourism. There are endless possibilities for resorts and face-to-face casino businesses to become a reality in Brazil, of course, through regulations and being assisted in the best possible way by the federal government in all its spheres. What seems to be lacking is political will and common sense. We are here in the crowd so that this reality changes as soon as possible and strengthens our sector, which was so hard hit in the pandemic years and is only now starting to breathe again.
Alexandre Sampaio
FBHA President
Source: Redação M&E
