The Minister of Tourism, Celso Sabino (União-PA), awaits the vote on the Casinos PL in the first half of the year. Amidst the articulations for ministerial reform, he states that his stay in the portfolio is justified by the deliveries made and the strengthening of the sector.
According to him, the ministry has become more valued due to the expansion of parliamentary amendments. In view of this, he defends an agreement between the government, Congress and the Federal Supreme Court (STF) to guarantee more “traceability” and “transparency” in these amendments.
The minister highlights that tourism represents around 7% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and projects that this share will exceed double digits by 2027.
To achieve this objective, he is betting on the approval of the bill that regulates casinos (Casinos PL) and the General Tourism Law, sanctioned last year.
He has also held conversations with the president of the Senate, Davi Alcolumbre (União-AP), on the topic.
Sabino states that Alcolumbre has shown support for the project to legalize casinos in resorts and bingos. According to him: “We are betting all our money that in the first half of the year the project will be voted on and sanctioned.”
Casinos PL and prospects for tourism
The minister emphasizes the sector’s growth potential. “Our perspective is that the sector’s share of GDP, which was around 7%, will reach double digits. Let’s make tourism a new force to promote Brazil’s economy.”
“We had more than 350 thousand [net formal] jobs created from January 2023 to December 2024. We are working so that by the end of 2027 the sector’s share will surpass double digits.”
Furthermore, Celso Sabino believes that the Casinos PL will be voted on in the Senate plenary in the first half of the year. “We are talking strongly with the senators, explaining the project. The whole world explores this economic activity through resorts integrated with regulated casinos.”
“Exceptions are rare, one or two countries with very strict religiosity. But the rest of the entire democratic world has it. Our neighbors here all have it. President Alcolumbre has shown sympathy for the project. He has not expressed himself publicly, but in conversations he has shown sympathy.”
He adds: “For this reason, we are betting all our money that in the first half of the year the project will be voted on and sanctioned. If there are casinos, we will do well there [tourism participation in 10% of GDP].”
Minister confirms strong interest from international groups
The minister also addresses the issue of the location of casinos and the impact on economic development. “In São Paulo, the investor will want to invest in the capital, and we will want to invest in the poorest city in the state to take development there.”
“So, it will be a negotiation to try to reach what is good for him and excellent for the economic development of the region. Everyone is coming to look here: investors from Macau, the United States, Spanish, Chileans. They want the biggest markets. Brasília is a big market. Rio de Janeiro is a big market”, he concludes.
