The federal representative for the state of Permanbuco, Silvio Costa, has presented a proposal for a casino city project to be included in the Bingo bill at present under discussion. The politician’s plan is for a Brazilian Las Vegas to be built in Garanhuns, Permanbuco, a city in the interior where President Lula da Silva was born. In 2004 a Presidential Decree closed all the bingos in the country. Casinos have been prohibited in Brazil since 1946.

With the backing of politicians and hoteliers to push for a law to allow a casino city in Brazil, Costa said, “Just like Las Vegas was constructed in the desert, the north-east of Brazil could have its own Las Vegas. Casinos could revitalise many cities in the interior.” For his part, businessman Marco Large of the National Tourism Association agreed that if casinos were allowed in Brazil there would be the immediate creation of 200,000 jobs.

Legislator Regis de Oliveira, who has introduced a bill to legalise gaming, anticipates that a move will be made to include the casino project in the bingo vote. Parliament is due to vote on the bill to reopen bingos before the end of April. Although there is multi-party support for the bill, experts say the principal parties and the government will, for political reasons, oppose it.

Following comments by the Justice Secretary, the President of the Brazilian Bingo Association, Olavo Sales da Silveira, has said that the necessary taxation regimes and regulations to prevent money laundering activity are already in place for a gaming industry. “Brazil will be no less competent than other American countries in controlling its casinos and other gaming businesses.” (E-03.26.10)

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