Celso Sabino defended the importance of parliamentary amendments as a means of bringing the government closer to the demands of the population. He highlighted that the resources can be directed to essential infrastructure, such as bridges, schools, daycare centers, health clinics and fairs. In addition, he considered that the temporary suspension of some amendments could be an opportunity to review and improve transparency and efficiency in the application of these resources.
The minister stated that the president of the Senate, Davi Alcolumbre, has been in favor of the bill that legalizes casinos in resorts and tourist destinations, bingo and jogo do bicho (Bill 2234/22) and that “we are betting all our chips that the bill will be voted on and sanctioned in the first half of the year.” Sabino believes that the approval of the measure will contribute to tourism reaching 10% of the GDP.
Regarding the installation of casinos, the minister states that the government will seek to balance the interests of investors and regional development, encouraging projects to be built in needier areas. He mentions that there is strong interest from international investors, including Macau, the United States, Spain and Chile, focusing on large markets such as Brasília, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.
The Minister attributes the increase in the ministry's "deliveries" to the attraction of parliamentary amendments, which, according to him, has made the portfolio more coveted. Sabino argues that the use of these amendments brings the government closer to the demands of the population.
The minister states that tourism's share of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), currently around 7%, will exceed double digits by 2027. To achieve this, he is counting on measures such as the approval of the bill regulating gambling, which he has been discussing with the president of the Senate, Davi Alcolumbre, and the General Tourism Law, sanctioned last year.
Gambling Bill
“We expect it to be voted on in the Senate plenary in the first half of the year. We are in close discussions with the senators, explaining the bill. The entire world explores this economic activity through integrated resorts with regulated casinos. There are rare exceptions, one or two countries with very strict religious beliefs. But the rest of the democratic world has it. All our neighbors here have it. President Alcolumbre has shown sympathy for the bill. He has not made any public statements, but he has shown sympathy in conversations. Therefore, we are betting all our chips that the bill will be voted on and sanctioned in the first half of the year. If we have casinos, we will get through this [tourism's share of 10% of GDP] just fine.”
Installation of casinos
“In São Paulo, investors will want to invest in the capital, and we will want to invest in the poorest city in the state to bring development there. So, it will be a negotiation to try to reach what is good for them and excellent for the economic development of the region. Everyone is coming here to look: investors from Macau, the United States, Spain, Chile. They want the biggest markets. Brasília is a big market. Rio de Janeiro is a big market.”
Source: Valor
