Brazil could become the third largest gaming market in the world if Bill (PL) 2.234/2022, which authorizes the operation of casinos, bingo, and “jogo do bicho” (a popular lottery game), is approved. This estimate comes from the Federation of Hotels, Restaurants, and Bars of the State of São Paulo (Fhoresp).
According to Fhoresp, legalizing the market in the country would bring investments of over R$ 382 billion into the sector, boosting Brazilian tourism. Last Wednesday (20), the bill was approved by the Senate’s Constitution and Justice Committee (CCJ) with 14 votes in favor and 12 against, and now proceeds to the Senate floor. If approved, it will only need the sanction of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to become law.
The expectation is that the topic will be debated on the Senate floor during the second half of this year, according to Fhoresp. The federation also states that even before the text was approved by the CCJ, 56 foreign companies in the field had already visited Brazil to scout locations and regions for potential operations.
“The vote indicates that the Senate is in favor of bringing new investments to Brazil, which has everything to become a competitive destination in the gaming sector, generating jobs and income, including for bars and the hospitality and gastronomy sectors,” celebrates Edson Pinto, executive director of Fhoresp.
The Director of Hospitality and Gaming at Fhoresp, Bruno Omori, spoke about the types of gaming establishments that could be part of the Brazilian format. The most comprehensive and well-known model is the casino integrated with a resort, similar to what happens in Las Vegas, USA, and Macau.
“In proportion, the state of São Paulo could have up to three casinos in this format, as it has more than 40 million inhabitants. Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais will each have two units, as they both have over 20 million residents. In the other states, there will be one establishment of this type each,” calculates the Director of Hospitality and Gaming at Fhoresp. Tourist casinos, in a smaller format, and bingo halls would also be part of the market.
