At the public hearing held at the Constitution and Justice Commission (CCJ) in the Senate this Thursday (9), there were disagreements among participants about the possible effects of the liberalization of other types of gaming and casinos in Brazil’s tourism sector.
The debate was called at the request of senators Carlos Viana (Podemos-MG) and Eduardo Girão (Novo-CE), with the aim of discussing a project that aims to legalize the operation of casinos, bingos, Jogo do Bicho and betting on horse races. .
This project, called Bill (PL) 2,234/2022, originated in the Chamber of Deputies and is being reported by Senator Irajá (PSD-TO) during his analysis in the collegiate. The president of the hearing was senator Marcos Rogério (PL-RO).
Carlos Henrique Sobral, national secretary of Infrastructure, Credit and Investments at the Ministry of Tourism, highlighted Brazil’s stagnation in receiving around 6 million international visitors annually.
For Sobral, casinos could represent an opportunity to reinvigorate the tourism sector, offering a significant economic boost.
Economic growth and job creation through gaming and casinos in Brazil
The federal government estimates that, with the legalization of gaming, there could be a 20% increase in jobs linked to tourism. Furthermore, it is estimated that this measure would contribute 1.2% to the sector’s GDP. Currently, tourism represents 8% of the national GDP, according to Sobral.
Alex Pariente, vice president of Casino Operations at Hard Rock International, said: “If we can use all types of resources, in a very controlled way, to be able to strengthen tourist arrivals, instead of exports as they exist today, I think it’s a very important benefit.
In Las Vegas, the Brazilian international market was the third [largest]. This export of tourists is not insignificant. The US has 1,011 commercial casinos, with an economic impact of $328 billion.”
Bill
Bill 2,234/2022 proposes permission for the construction of casinos in tourist areas or integrated leisure complexes. Thus, these complexes can include luxury hotels with more than 100 rooms, restaurants, bars and spaces for cultural events.
According to the text, each state may have a casino, except São Paulo, which may have up to three. Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Amazonas and Pará will also be allowed up to two casinos each.
Furthermore, the project contemplates the possibility of installing casinos on maritime vessels, with a limit of ten throughout the country.
