The text was approved by the Senate's Constitution and Justice Committee (CCJ) at the end of June. The proposal is still being processed in the House, with no prospect of a final vote.
The minister's idea is to allow resorts with integrated casinos to be installed in existing tourist centers, but still without much visitor traffic, far from the big cities.
For example, Salinópolis and Alter do Chão, in Pará; Olímpia, in São Paulo; Pirenópolis and Alexânia, in Goiás.
The bill's rapporteur, Senator Irajá Abreu, speaks of a potential revenue of over R$20 billion (US$3.6bn) per year.
Sabino also highlights the money that can be generated by resorts and games, including the jogo do bicho, a “common activity in Brazilian cities and still considered a criminal offense,” he said.
The minister stated that the department is receiving demands from entrepreneurial groups interested in opening casinos of varying sizes. He mentioned European, North American, Chinese, Greek and Chilean businessmen. The size of the resorts should vary according to the number of inhabitants and their respective locations.
Sabino said he sees no resistance to the bill “among the entire government team.” He advocates that the authorization be done with rules to prevent compulsive gamblers.
“Clear rules. People who enter the casino area will be identified, there will be controls. Anyone identified with this compulsion will not be able to access the areas,” added Sabino, who is leading the meeting of tourism ministers of the G20, a group of the 20 largest economies in the world, chaired this year by Brazil.
Source: CNN
