Operator News
Brazil – Las Vegas Sands Chief Sheldon Adelson in Brazil once again
By Phil - 30 May 2018
Sheldon Adelson, Chairman of Las Vegas Sands, has visited Brazil again to discuss the establishment of integrated resorts in Brazil.
Mr. Adelson told local daily Valor in São Paulo that: “I’m here to consider investing in one or more integrated resorts.”
Although not much is known regarding the exact nature of Mr. Adelson’s plans for development in the region, it is likely to be large scale. However much will depend on the future of gaming legislation now under consideration in Congress. Senate Bill No. 186/2014 would allow for 35 resort casinos with at least one per state while some states would be permitted to have as many as three, depending on the population and the economic outlook in each state. However, the House Committee on Constitution, Justice and Citizenship rejected the bill in March 2018 arguing that the bill, if approved, could encourage criminal practices such as money laundering, in addition to increasing cases of gambling addiction.
Meanwhile, House Bill No. 442/1991 in the Lower House would also permit casinos in integrated resorts. Each state would have up to three casino establishments, depending on the state’s population. A maximum of three casinos would be permitted to operate per state. The bill is scheduled for debate shortly.
However, there could be a third way to large-scale resorts, which would be permitted via changes to Brazil’s tourism laws. The Brazilian Tourist Board (EMBRATUR) , the Ministry of Tourism, and the National Forum of State Secretaries and Directors of Tourism (FORNATUR) have been urging lawmakers in the lower house to try to push forward bills which would legalise casino gaming. A new proposal sponsored by The Ministry of Tourism in February would only allow for casinos in integrated resorts in two Brazilian states: São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The proposals would allow for ten casinos putting a unique emphasis on large-scale casino gaming ahead of all other types of betting.
Either way Mr. Adelson’s arrival could mean that despite legislative setbacks that the construction of large-scale casinos in Brazil is still a distinct possibility. In May 2017, Mr. Adelson met with Brazilian President Michel Temer and several government officials to pitch an $8bn casino project in Rio de Janeiro. Mr. Adelson alongside a number of other businessperson and local politicians met with the mayor of Rio de Janeiro Marcelo Crivella. Crivella said at the time that he hoped to be able to count on Mr. Adelson in the future when it came to the development of the region of Porto Maravilha. Operation Porto Maravilha is an urban renewal project in Rio de Janeiro’s Downtown Port Zone, involving an area of 5m square meters and aimed at completely changing Rio de Janeiro’s neglected port area.
