The Porto Alegre City Council is analyzing a bill that could transform electronic sports in the capital of Rio Grande do Sul. Councilor Márcio Bins Ely (PDT) leads the proposal, which aims to establish the Municipal Policy to Encourage the Professional Practice of Electronic Sports (eSports).
Benefits and incentives planned for eSports
The project seeks to professionalize eSports and related activities. The objectives include encouraging trade in hardware and software, holding competitive events and developing the local economy. In short, Porto Alegre can become a hub for electronic gaming competitions.
The text foresees several actions to promote the sector. Among them are:
- Organization and structuring of competition circuits;
- Exhibition of new technologies linked to electronic sports;
- Granting tax credits and benefits to professional athletes and companies in the sector.
Furthermore, eSports athletes will have the same rights and obligations as traditional sports professionals. They will also have access to funding and sponsorships.
Gamer culture and investments in the city
According to Bins Ely, the proposal aims to “consolidate Porto Alegre as a city that values gamer culture, strengthen electronic sports and value professional practice”.
In justifying the project, the councilor reinforces the importance of the initiative to attract investment.
“The State is capable of building bridges to facilitate the attraction of investments and the consolidation of an eSports hub and an events calendar in the Municipality. And the first step towards this goal is to equalize electronic sports with traditional sports, as well as professional eSports athletes with athletes in conventional sports.”
So, if approved, the project will put Porto Alegre on the map of major eSports events in Brazil. It will certainly open up new opportunities for players, companies and investors in the iGaming sector.
