Gildo Mazza (journalist)
Even with the serious institutional crisis and the surprise, during the event, that the President of the Republic, Michel Temer, was denounced for a crime of passive corruption, the attendees to the fourth edition of the congress feel that the approval of a law for the sector It's only a matter of time. And, moreover, a need for Brazil, eager for job creation and increased tax collection.
Brazilian and foreign businessmen discussed during the two days how the market can be regulated and the consensus was that, due to the continental dimensions and the variety of possible games, it may take some time to approve one of the two ongoing projects in the National Congress.
One of the points that attracted the attention of attendees was the possibility of installing casinos, with the prospect of large complexes
integrated in resorts attracting investments of more than US$ 5 billion, involving the design,
construction and installation of all the necessary infrastructure for the operation. In addition, the Brazilian Association of Hotel Industry itself estimates an increase of more than 20 million tourists seeking leisure opportunities from the implementation of casinos.
This theme was addressed not only in some of the plenary sessions, but also behind the scenes, as some of the most important players in the market exchanged experiences with Brazilian businessmen about the real possibilities of opening the gaming activity and also making clear that they are ready to invest in some regions that they consider extremely interesting, such as São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Santa Catarina, Bahia and other locations in the northeast and central-west of Brazil.
Even the bingo entrepreneurs, who have been struggling for the return of the activity for ten years, admitted that the
congress was positive to give new impetus to those who have distanced themselves a little from the battle to restore the sector. Even if they are a little afraid that the investment in opening rooms is too high, they are already beginning to realize how much they will have to shell out to return to the market.
Sports betting, online gambling and lotteries have also been on the agenda, as they have attracted the attention of both Brazilian companies and international operators. Even though it does not work directly
from Brazil, the most important online poker sites already admit that more and more Brazilians are enrolled in virtual tournaments, as well as in casinos through the internet, which demonstrates the great vocation of the country's bettors. During the event, more than US$ 1 billion in taxes were reported that are no longer collected in Brazil due to the lack of regulation of this portion of the gaming segment.
The only unknown remains for the popular local
jogo do
bicho, which currently represents one of the largest illegal games in the world, which moves more than US$ 6 billion a year in Brazil. As the activity is completely pulverized, no consensus has yet been reached on how it can be brought into legality. The only thing that was clear was the interest of the state lotteries in this market segment.
As much as the Brazilian Gaming Congress has sought in the two days answers to the questions of when and how the sector will be regulated, there was no consensus. It is estimated that after the labor and social security reforms, the National Congress will resume the discussions of projects under way in the Federal Chamber and the Senate.
The thermometer, as many businessmen have said, will be the administration of the political crisis that the country has been facing. And everyone was unanimous in stating that Brazil can no longer wait, since the taxes that gaming can bring to the government coffers and the jobs that the activity will generate will be fundamental to the economy in the coming years and can not be discarded by the hypocrisy of a small portion of society that still abhors the theme.
Here are two mentions of honor. One of them was Clarion Events, which promoted a debate about the importance of Brazil in the world scenario and the imminence of the country adopting serious and transparent legislation.
The other is a self-mention, for GMB, which had a team of four journalists covering in real time what was happening at BgC. More than 22 hours of online coverage, with 54 stories about the topics discussed in the
congress, more than one hundred of photos and videos showing what was happening and a professional analysis of the event marked a coverage with great repercussion both in our portal www.gamesbras.com and in social networks.
We wait for gaming arrives to Brazil so that millions of formal Jobs can be created, making of the activity a patrimony for the country and an immense source of benefits for the Brazilian society.
GILDO MAZZA
Gildo Mazza is journalist specialized in gaming, publisher of Games Magazine since its founding in 1997, and has also collaborated with editions published in Italy, Venezuela, Colombia,
Mexico and Argentina.
