The Minister of Tourism, Celso Sabino, defended the legalization of casinos in Brazil in a seminar held by Editora Globo with the support of the government of Rio de Janeiro state.
“Like any major economic activity that will mobilize large investments, we will generate jobs during the implementation phase and during execution. Our expectation is to generate around 600,000 to 1 million direct and indirect jobs when we have all the integrated resorts up and running,” stated Brazil's Minister of Tourism, Celso Sabino.
Bill 2234/2022, which legalizes gambling in the country, also provides that casinos may be installed in high-end resorts or vessels as part of an integrated leisure complex with hotels, meeting and event venues, restaurants and shopping centers.
The text was approved on July 19 by the Senate's Constitution and Justice Committee (CCJ). The proposal will now be analyzed by the House's Plenary. Among the rules, the bill establishes that the casino must have a maximum of 20% of the built area of the resort complex. Electronic games, roulette, card games and other authorized modalities may be operated there.
Sabino's speech was given during the seminar “Challenges and regulation of 'Bets' and casinos held by Editora Globo with the support of the government of the State of Rio de Janeiro. He discussed the project alongside Senator Irajá, rapporteur of the text, and representatives of the sector. 'Bets' is the way as operators of sports betting and iGaming are called in Brazil.
São Paulo could have up to three resorts with casinos
According to the minister, the idea is that each state with up to ten million inhabitants should have at least one large integrated resort. More populous states, such as São Paulo, could have up to three casino ventures.
Sabino took the opportunity to emphasize the importance of tourism as a cross-cutting sector that generates jobs in various activities. According to the minister, regulating casinos will have a positive impact on the Brazilian economy.
The minister highlighted the international interest in the Brazilian market, citing the Hard Rock Café as one of the players in the sector that is investing billions in the construction of tourist complexes.
“They build hotels with theaters, convention centers, shopping malls, thousands of apartments and casino areas. Just for the opening of a venture like this, they usually bring the biggest, world-renowned artists,” said the minister, citing recent shows in Brazil as examples of the potential for attracting audiences.
“I keep thinking: Taylor Swift performed in both states (Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo). You saw the crowds rushing to get into her show. The same was true for Madonna’s show. These groups will not only exploit the casino. They will create a US$1 billion, US$2 billion venture. They will bring these artists to perform,” he commented.
Sabino also highlighted the positive prospects in terms of job creation and tax revenue with the regulation of casinos. According to him, the granting of licenses for casinos should generate revenue from the Economic Domain Intervention Contribution on the sale of games and bets (Cide-Jogos) of around R$22 billion (US$ 4bn).
“These resources will go to the Treasury and will be used for public policies. The legislator has already established some priorities, such as a percentage for promoting Brazilian tourist destinations abroad through Embratur, in addition to determining how much of the revenue will go to sports, public health, and the prevention and combat of compulsive gamblers,” he explained.
The minister also warned that the country has an opportunity to create a balanced regulatory environment, avoiding mistakes made by other countries that did not take precautions to address gambling addiction when creating legislation.
“Brazil cannot continue to have such an unfavorable environment, but it also cannot introduce (regulation) in such an unbridled manner. England has it, but the vast majority of countries have not taken this care with prevention and treatment (of gambling addiction among gamblers)".
Source: O Globo
