Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has come out against the development of casinos in the country—now, and potentially for decades.
He cited concerns about money laundering as the reason for his opposition, though skeptics think he was motivated by the country’s powerful evangelical movement, whose political support steered him to a surprise victory at the polls in 2018.
In a televised interview in March, Bolsonaro said his administration has the authority to reject casino proposals in the country. Speaking to SBT’s Programa do Ratinho, the president stated the decision is “exclusively up to the executive branch. In fact, it is my sole responsibility to deal with this matter; it is covered by the constitution.”
According to CDC Gaming Reports, however, the president doesn’t have the final say on gaming—that power belongs to the National Congress. But Bolsonaro said, “Casinos in my government—this issue is not discussed. Twenty, 30, 40 years from now is another story.”
His position may come as a surprise to global operators and public officials who have been pushing for legal casino resorts in the country as a way to boost tourism and generate new revenues. Then again, it might not. Before his election, Bolsonaro ran on a family-values platform and was known “an anti-gambling crusader.” Later, though he personally does not support gambling, Bolsonaro said casino resorts could be beneficial for Brazil, and the states should decide. Last year, he reportedly sought support from his evangelical followers on an expansion of gambling, but when it wasn’t forthcoming, he changed his tune again.
Among those stumping for casino resorts are Mayor Marcelo Crivella of Rio de Janeiro and Las Vegas Sands chief Sheldon Adelson, who has said he would spend billions to open a casino in the city. Other global operators said to be interested in the market are Hard Rock International and MGM Resorts International. Rodrigo Maia, president of the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies, Newton Cardoso Jr, president of the Tourism Commission, and Vice President Hamilton Mourão also have expressed support for the legalization of integrated resorts in tourist areas of Brazil.
Some expect that even if Bolsonaro ends up signing a gambling expansion bill, he may enter a “foreigners only” clause that will keep locals away from gambling. He is also against slot machines, which are usually the biggest money spinners for casinos.
In a live Facebook feed during his election campaign, he said an expansion of gambling in the country would lead to money laundering and would harm families.
Even so, according to Games Magazine Brasil, a federal judge in Rio overturned Bolsonaro’s decree that churches and lottery houses would be considered essential activities that can remain open and operational during the coronavirus crisis. Judge Márcio Santoro Rocha declared that “access to churches, religious temples and lottery stores stimulates the agglomeration and circulation of people.”
On a radio show last week, “Debate da Super Manhã,” criminal lawyer Célio Avelino said gambling is enjoyed all over the world, so why not Brazil.
“Regarding gaming, Brazil is against the most developed countries in the world,” he told host Geraldo Freire. “Among the 193 UN member countries, 75.52 percent have already legalized it. Of the 34 countries that are part of the OECD, only three have not allowed the activity, of which only Brazil is a non-Islamic country. So I don’t see it as a serious argument to ban gambling.”
Avelino said everyone who wants to gamble already does, so introducing casinos would only bring more taxes and tourists to Brazil.
“Everyone who wants to play, plays online and the money goes out, it doesn’t stay here,” he says. “If you legalize the casino, you will have tourism development in the region, provide jobs and raise billions of reais per year.”
The religions that oppose gaming ignore the positives it can bring.
“Evangelical and Catholic clerics are against it, but this should not involve religion or ideology, but the market,” says Avelino. “The money raised from gaming can be invested in health, education, city development and the country would make a profit.”
