“The bill actually authorizes the installation of casinos in tourist centers or integrated leisure complexes, such as resorts and high-end hotels. Casinos may also be installed on maritime vessels, limited to 10 in the country,” minister Celso Sabino explained to Correio.
There will also be a division by state, so that these tourist centers can help in regional development.
Asked by the blog about the progress of the bill, Sabino said that he has already discussed the matter with the new president of the Senate, Davi Alcolumbre, his party colleague.
“The bill has already received more than 400 favorable votes in the Chamber of Deputies, and we are working to have it approved in the Senate soon.”
The minister spoke to the blog after having participated in the Lide/DF lunch in Brasília, hosted by businessman and president of the PSD/DF Paulo Octavio.
Members of parliament representing the religious sector are opposed to the casino project. “There are casinos in evangelical and Christian countries. This cannot be an impediment,” argued Sabino.
President Lula has already stated that he will sanction the law if it advances in Congress. The president of Embratur, Marcelo Freixo, has also been in favor, but defends rules with limits on bets.
The National Confederation of Commerce of Goods, Services and Tourism (CNC) also supports the legalization of casinos.
The project authorizes the installation of a casino in each state and in the Federal District, with the exception of São Paulo, which may have up to three casinos, and Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Amazonas and Pará, which may have up to two each, based on the size of their population or territory.
The investments may reach R$100 billion (US$17.5bn), generating around 1.5 million direct and indirect jobs in Brazil. The potential annual revenue would be R$22 billion (US$3.8bn) , divided between the states, municipalities and the Union.
Source: Correio Braziliense
