Legislation
Brazil – Brazil’s Tourism President supports large scale casinos
By Phil - 26 October 2017
The President of the Brazilian Institute of Tourism (EMBRATUR) Vinícius Lummertz has come out strongly in defence of new gaming legislation.
Talking to local press, Lummertz said that Brazil’s attitude towards the industry was “backward” and that the government was seeking ways to promote a small number of Las Vegas type resorts and casinos.
“It is part of the country’s backward view. It looks like we are living in a bubble. Let us talk about hotels and casinos. We play in the United States and we are good players. We spend a lot on it. What you need to be careful about is the income issue and the idea that casinos should be in resorts. This is our proposal. In Las Vegas, gambling is no longer the main business of the city, but rather the conferences and shows that take place in hotels. There are shows there that make $200m and stay there for 10 years. The economy is linked to culture, arts, shows and sports.”
When asked about the type of gaming that would be allowed Lummertz said that it would be restricted to a handful of places. “We are actually talking about two or three casinos. There have been some seminars in Brazil, talks with outside experts.”
Lummertz’s statements have been echoed by a number of government officials who are pushing for gaming reform. Last week Tourism Minister for the state of Bahia Alberto Alves called on lawmakers to make changes to its gambling law as a matter of urgency. At the same time the National Forum of State Secretaries and Directors of Tourism (FORNATUR) has been urging lawmakers to try to push forward bills which would legalise casino gaming. FORNATUR met last week (October 18) with federal deputies in Brasilia in order to discuss emergency issues for the tourism sector. Speaking after the meeting in the Federal Chamber, attended by representatives of 25 Brazilian states, Alves said that members of FORNATUR had been able to impress upon local lawmakers the importance of passing gaming laws now under consideration in Congress, which would help stimulate economic growth.
