Continuing his special material focused on the debate on the regulation of the gambling and betting market in Brazil, Luiz Carlos Prestes Filho spoke with journalist Ronaldo Gomlevsky.
Gomlevsky was publicly positioned in favor of legalizing the sector, as well as showing confidence that Brazil can promote a strict inspection of casino activities. “I believe that Brazil can do everything right and decently,” he said in an interview with the Tribuna da Imprensa Livre website.
In addition, he stressed that the duly legalized gaming market ends up strengthening democracy. “I firmly believe that regulated gambling strengthens democracy, a regime in which everything is possible with limits. It is past time to change the no, for the yes with rules ”.
Check out the interview with journalist Ronaldo Gomlevsky
Luiz Carlos Prestes Filho: The main economic activities that contribute to the social and economic development of Brazil are agribusiness, oil and gas. Why don’t we invest in value-added products?
Ronaldo Gomlevsky: We do not invest in added values, such as casinos, because national elites cannot understand that the state cannot be a business agent, much less a controller of economic activity, in a free enterprise system.
The great truth is that in the case of casinos, bingos and gambling, legalizing these activities will mean competition for the federal and state lotteries. Our economic regime is hybrid and, unfortunately, it has still been sticking its hands where it shouldn’t. This denial of legalization ends up perpetuating gambling under the table.
Prestes Filho: Why do we invest so little in services and products aimed at the activities of Tourism, Leisure and Culture?
Ronaldo Gomlevsky: Our governors and the political class in general have become accustomed to the lack of their own culture and to an ignorant people that they intend to maintain in this way. It is a pity that robust government investments in theater, libraries, music and culture in general are lacking.
I am a football lover, however, I understand that only with football, Brazil will advance. If we spent 20% of what we spent in the last 50 years on TV advertising, to produce cinema, plays and incentive to music, we would have a people in better educational and cultural conditions, no doubt about that.
Prestes Filho: As creator of the Menorah channel, aimed at the Jewish community, do you believe that the reopening of casinos and bingos could collaborate with the strengthening of Tourism and Culture in Brazil? Does the Jewish community approve?
Ronaldo Gomlevsky: I cannot speak for other Jews. Everyone knows that I help to form an opinion with the Jewish. So, I speak for myself: I am absolutely in favor of opening the casinos. I was brought up in the monumental hotels of the mining hydro-mineral estates and in Petrópolis. I refer to the Glória hotel, in Caxambu; the Hotel Brasil de São Lourenço; Palace Hotel and Quisisana in Poços de Caldas; and Quitandinha in Petrópolis.
All of them were very prepared to host the game and they are, and even before the pandemic, they were flies. Quitandinha even stopped being a hotel. Our denial of the game is shameful, without any plausible or true justification. I am absolutely in favor of open bingos. Those who commit crimes, through the institutions they create, must be prosecuted. The justification of money laundering only requires control and not prohibition.
Prestes Filho: Would it be important to regulate the Jogo do Bicho as well?
Ronaldo Gomlevsky: I am absolutely in favor of regulating the Jogo do Bicho. Whoever wants to play will play. Anyone who doesn’t like it, do something else to have fun. Bicho regulation, now!
Prestes Filho: In Brazil as in Israel gambling is prohibited. What makes Brazil ban casinos and bingos like Israel? What makes Israel ban gambling like Brazil did?
Ronaldo Gomlevsky: Contrary to what many people think, Israel is not perfect. Israeli society has an unfortunate political issue that puts the Orthodox religious in power, at each election, as the balance’s faithful to seat prime ministers. This group is against the casino game.
Israel has a much heavier law than Brazil in this regard. Now, the great truth is that there, as well as here, there is the prejudice of the state operating lotteries. They don’t want competition. Much like what happened in Brazil. There, the synagogue its to blame. Here, the church is the guilty one.
Prestes Filho: Is there a contradiction between Jewish Americans being investors in Las Vegas casinos?
Ronaldo Gomlevsky: There is no contradiction. Perhaps few know that the Mayor of Las Vegas is a Jewish woman who has a Brazilian daughter-in-law. This woman replaced her husband who was mayor of the city for over 10 years. Perhaps few know, too, that it was the Jewish mobster, Bucksy Seagal, who built the first big casino in Vegas that goes by the name of Flamingo.
This guy, a killer, a thug, but a big bussinesman, got money from Al Capone and other great mobsters and couldn’t, or didn’t, really want to finish the construction of the casino. The mafia partners lost patience and shot him in his forehead.
Today, several casino hotels are owned by Jewish billionaires. The most requested is the Venetian, which is just the maximum and belongs to the family of Sheldon Adelson, who was in Rio de Janeiro several times and is recently deceased.
Prestes Filho: In your opinion, what should be the destination of tax revenue from regulated games? Health? Education? Tourism?
Ronaldo Gomlevsky: I don’t like stamped money. Taxation collected for the executive’s cash and period.
Prestes Filho: Do you believe that strict supervision of the activities of regulated casinos is possible in Brazil?
Ronaldo Gomlevsky: I believe that Brazil can do everything right and decently. It is enough that Gerson’s Law be left aside. This is possible with quality education and training worthy of our youth. No cutting corners and no corruption. Our justice has also leaves a lot to be desired.
Prestes Filho: Do you believe that regulated gambling strengthens democracy?
Ronaldo Gomlevsky: I firmly believe that regulated gambling strengthens democracy, a regime in which everything is possible with limits. It’s past time to change the “no”, for the “yes” with rules. “Yes” is an integral part of the democratic regime. The “no” is part of the folklore of… “Do you know who you are talking to?” I don’t like that system at all!
Prestes Filho: Do the media need to carry out ongoing work to clarify the positive economic potential of gambling?
Ronaldo Gomlevsky: The world today is made up of 4 corners, that is, a tiny block and this fact is due to communication, advertising and social networks. It is clear that Canal Menorah and all of our media are open not only to debate but also to open the eyes of the people and publicize the idea of the immediate legalization of gambling, casinos and the Jogo do Bicho.
