In his first post-inaugural meeting with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, Rio Governor Wilson Witzel has asked him to transfer control of the Port of Rio de Janeiro from the federal government to the state.
According to Games Magazine Brasil, the measure would give state lawmakers a greater hand in improving business in Rio. Witzel is also a fan of legislation to legalize casinos to grow tourism in Rio de Janeiro.
“The Port of Rio is very important for the state, for the business environment, for tourism,” Witzel said. “So I made a request to the president so that the port is transferred to state control or that we can have a greater partnership in its management.”
Federal Deputy Herculano Passos says the legalization of casinos would attract foreign investment and foreign tourists, create local jobs and support local business.
“We have adventure tourism, religious tourism, business tourism, and Brazil is the largest country in environmental tourism in the world,” Passos said. “The legalization of casinos is a controversial matter, but it is necessary because we have to move forward to generate opportunity for employment, development, and wealth for our country.”
Chamber of Deputies President Rodrigo Maia has said that siting casinos inside hotels and resorts would create up to 300,000 new jobs and generate revenues of about US$5.75 billion for the government. That would not be the model supported by global operators like Sheldon Adelson, who has offered to invest billions in a Rio integrated resort.
