The new General Tourism Law with the legalization of sports betting and casinos, which is currently being processed in the National Congress, has generated intense debates in the hotel sector. At a recent meeting of HotéisRio, an entity representing the hotel industry in Rio de Janeiro, the topic was the center of discussions among members.
The president of the association, Alfredo Lopes, highlighted a critical point of the project: the definition of accommodation facilities. According to him, the law, as it stands, favors “unfair competition” between hotels and rental platforms.
Therefore, Lopes warns that current tax legislation considers residential apartments as accommodation for tax purposes. However, if the new law contradicts this, platforms could be exempt from taxation.
But another issue raised is the possible legalization of betting games in Brazil and the authorization to operate casinos. Lopes argues that, without adequate regulation, hotels would not benefit from the opening of these multifunctional complexes or vessels.
Therefore, he cited the example of the city of Estoril, in Portugal, where there is collaboration between casinos and hotels in the region. In other words, he defends a model that can integrate both casinos and hotels. Because, by doing so, it would generate more money for tourism and more jobs in the regions where the casinos would be installed.
Senate analyzes the release of casinos in Brazil
The discussion is emblematic and reflects the challenge of balancing innovation and tradition in tourism. But, despite there being numerous advantages in implementing casinos in Brazil, the evangelical bench is against casinos. The group argues that the increase in citizen debt and violence in hotel areas would increase greatly.
The Constitution and Justice Committee (CCJ) of the Senate may resume, this Wednesday (19), the analysis of the bill that authorizes the operation of bingos and casinos in Brazil.
The president of the CCJ, Davi Alcolumbre, decided to leave the matter for a day when it was the only one on the agenda so that it could be discussed broadly among the senators.
The project was approved by the Chamber of Deputies in 2022.
