Held at the Transamerica Expo Center in São Paulo, this panel addressed the challenges, opportunities, and potential of Brazil’s casino sector, underscoring its significant role in the country’s economic growth and tourism development.
Moderated by Magnho José, President of the Brazilian Institute for Legal Gaming (IJL), the panel featured a distinguished lineup of speakers: Alex Pariente, Vice President of Hard Rock; Carlos Cardama, Co-Founder of the Brazilian iGaming Summit (BiS) and CEO of Games Magazine Brasil; and Irajá Silvestre Filho, Senator in the Federal Senate of Brazil. The discussion delved into the strategic importance of regulating land-based casinos, with a focus on the balance between economic growth, tourism, and legislative transparency.
Alex Pariente highlighted Brazil’s vast untapped potential, describing the country as a “continent” with ideal locations for integrated resorts. “Brazil is not just a country; it’s a region with the size and infrastructure to host world-class resorts,” Pariente noted, emphasizing the scale of employment opportunities and economic benefits that such resorts could generate.
He pointed out that the introduction of resort casinos could employ thousands, citing a typical integrated resort’s capacity to create 3,000 to 4,000 jobs, significantly boosting local economies?.
Carlos Cardama echoed these sentiments, stressing the need for clear and stable regulations. “We’ve learned that prolonged regulatory processes do not necessarily yield better outcomes,” he explained. Cardama proposed a cooperative approach, urging for both resort and tourist casinos to coexist, catering to different regions and market needs. “Brazil’s potential goes beyond mere numbers, it’s about creating an ecosystem that competes on a global scale,” he added?.
Senator Irajá Silvestre Filho, an advocate for responsible gaming and clear regulation, closed the panel by highlighting the global opportunity awaiting Brazil. “Regulation is the key to unlocking Brazil’s tourism potential,” he said. “In the next 20 years, Brazil can become the world’s largest tourism power, and gaming will play a pivotal role in that transformation.”
As the panel wrapped up, the clear message was that while Brazil faces complex legal and political challenges, the path to a regulated casino industry is one that could drive massive economic growth and elevate the country’s global tourism standing.
Source: SiGMA World
