Operator News
Brazil – Rio de Janeiro’s Governor goes all in on support for Brazil casino intro
By Phil - 11 January 2019
Newly elected Governor of Rio de Janeiro Wilson Witzel, has reiterated his support for casinos. Last week Mr. Witzel argued that new security measures in place to combat crime and money laundering would make a legalised industry more feasible and very briefly made a case for casinos in Brazil.
However during the inauguration of the new state attorney general, Marcelo Lopes, Witzel went much further saying that Rio will run out of money in July and defended casinos as a way to raise additional revenue.
“We are really having a lot of difficulties. We, if we keep pace, without making any contingency measures, without negotiation, will get to July without money. We have a deficit of more than R$8 billion, remnants to pay of more than R$11 billion, and we must act, “said Governor Witzel.
The governor also called for efforts to legalize gaming in Brazil, which could directly benefit the state, as it is the main entry point for foreigners coming to Brazil and is also the top domestic tourist destination in Brazil.
“We are committed to approving the legislation that allows the installation of casinos in the state of Rio de Janeiro. It is not possible that, in Las Vegas alone, people spend fortunes. There are also spaces to host casinos here, and there are opportunities for that. Just fine-tune the control mechanisms and there will be no problems at all. Certainly, the state will greatly win and will benefit, “said Governor Witzel.
Lat week Witzel, who recently took office as part of an electoral wave favouring far-right politicians that elevated President Jair Bolsonaro to the presidency, argued that new security measures in place to combat crime and money laundering would make a legalised industry more feasible.
Yesterday the president of the Brazilian Federation of Lodging and Food (FBHA), Alexandre Sampaio, supported the declarations of the governor sating that Rio de Janeiro’s economy would benefit greatly from a newly regulated industry.
“FBHA is following the movement for the regulation of games in Brazil closely, and I am sure that this would bring a significant increase not only for the businesses linked to the sector but also for the generation of revenues in the country’s economy and for other states” , he said.
“The legalisation of hotel-casinos would allow the handling of over R$15bn in revenue per year in the country, in addition to the generation of 400,000 direct and indirect jobs. This would enhance Brazilian Tourism, giving it more profitability, competitiveness and attractiveness, ” he said.
