Legalizing casinos could attract $70 billion in investment.

Rio de Janeiro could receive two casino-resorts and one tourist casino. This possibility depends on the approval of Bill 2.234 in the Senate. The text awaits a plenary vote after a favorable opinion from the Constitution and Justice Committee (CCJ). The proposal foresees the authorization of up to 61 gambling establishments in the country, including casinos in resorts and tourist casinos.

Tourism industry experts and tour operator representatives assessed on Tuesday (4) how these structures can boost the national economy. The debate took place during the SBC Summit Rio. Magnho José, editor of BNLDATA and president of the Instituto Jogo Legal (IJL), led the discussion entitled “Entertainment Destination: The Future of Brazil through Tourism and Leisure”.

Sergio Ricardo Martins de Almeida, president of TurisRio, Bruno Omori, president of the Institute for Tourism Development (IDT-CEMA), Fabio Tiberia, vice-president for Brazil of VBET, and Ronaldo Porto, head of marketing at Visit Rio, participated in the panel. The panelists analyzed legislative, economic, and operational aspects of the possible implementation of gambling establishments in the country.

The proposal envisions 61 gambling establishments distributed throughout the country.

The text was approved in the Chamber in February 2022. The legislation covers casinos integrated into physical resorts and tourist casinos, with a limit of one per state. The proposal also provides for the operation of bingo and the jogo do bicho (a type of illegal lottery).

The distribution of the 60 gaming establishments includes 34 casino-resorts and 27 tourist casinos spread throughout the country. Sergio Ricardo highlighted the evolution of the debate on the subject. "Thirteen years ago, this debate was treated as taboo," he stated.

The president of TurisRio presented figures demonstrating the growth in visitor flow to the city. Rio received 2,2 million international tourists in 2023. In January of this year alone, the destination registered 200 foreign visitors.

“Rio is back in fashion and should be the first destination to receive casino-resorts. This helps us consolidate the city as a gateway to the country and increases the length of stay for tourists,” declared Sergio Ricardo. He mentioned Barra da Tijuca as a region with adequate infrastructure, including convention centers, hotels, and shopping malls.

The president of TurisRio also pointed to the potential for regeneration of the city's historic center. Tourist regions in the interior of Rio de Janeiro state, such as Costa do Sol, Costa Verde, and Paraty, were cited as areas that could benefit from the implementation of integrated casinos. Sergio Ricardo further emphasized that the city has a "natural vocation for entertainment," highlighting that Rio is already recognized worldwide for its cultural and natural attractions, which would facilitate the integration of casino-resorts into the existing tourism portfolio.

Investments could reach $70 billion.

Bruno Omori presented projections on the volume of resources that the arrival of integrated resorts could generate in the country. Direct and indirect investments are expected to reach around 70 billion dollars. "In addition to building the resort and the casino, there's a whole chain of architecture, infrastructure, decoration, training, marketing , and technology," he explained.

The president of IDT-CEMA drew parallels with established markets to illustrate the potential of the model in Brazil. In Las Vegas, the convention bureau employs 550 people dedicated exclusively to attracting events. In that city, casino revenue represents between 25% and 30% of total revenue. Hotels, food services, and entertainment account for the remainder.

Bruno Omori also highlighted that "the casino is only one part of the complex," emphasizing that the integrated resorts function as true entertainment ecosystems. He explained that these ventures generate skilled jobs in various areas, from hospitality to information technology, contributing to the professionalization of the Brazilian tourism sector.

Fabio Tiberia discussed the differences between online gambling and land-based casinos during his presentation. The VBET vice president for Brazil explained that digital platforms focus on high payouts and returns, while land-based establishments offer a live leisure and entertainment experience.

“We can’t treat the casino like a single bicycle wheel: it needs to offer a complete experience, 24 hours of attractions, gastronomy, shows . This extends the stay of visitors — and generates revenue on all fronts,” said Tiberia. He stressed the importance of regulatory stability and long-term contracts to enable investments in the sector.

The executive warned that any increases in the tax burden could compromise the attractiveness of the business model. Legal certainty was highlighted as a fundamental element for international operators to consider Brazil as a destination for their ventures. Tiberia added that "investors need predictability to commit billions of dollars to long-term projects," emphasizing that regulatory clarity is as important as the legal authorization itself.

Barra da Tijuca needs a permanent tourist anchor.

Ronaldo Porto concluded the presentations with an analysis of the current situation in Barra da Tijuca. The head of marketing for Visit Rio explained that the region depends on specific events such as Carnival, New Year's Eve, and Rock in Rio. During the off-season, the area faces problems with reduced hotel occupancy.

“Avenida das Américas needs a permanent tourist anchor,” declared Porto. He advocated for the installation of a casino-resort in the Olympic Park or in adapted areas of the region. The proposal aims to create a constant flow of visitors throughout the year.

“When you bring strong products — casinos, conventions, high-level gastronomy — the average tourist increases their stay from three to four nights, growing accommodation revenue by 33%,” stated the Visit Rio representative. The increased length of stay directly impacts the local tourism production chain.

Ronaldo Porto also noted that Barra da Tijuca possesses unique characteristics that make it ideal for hosting an integrated entertainment complex. “We have space, road infrastructure, proximity to the international airport, and a public profile that already seeks premium experiences ,” he argued. He further highlighted that the region could benefit from the urban development model observed in destinations like Singapore and Macau, where casino-resorts act as catalysts for urban regeneration.

The structure could occupy existing spaces in the region. The infrastructure built for the 2016 Olympic Games would be utilized. The increased length of stay for visitors represents direct gains for the entire tourism sector in the region, including restaurants, shops, and services.

The next steps depend on the Senate and presidential approval.

The discussion about casinos in Barra is taking place in the context of the possible legalization of gambling in Brazil. Approval of the legislation depends on a vote in the Senate plenary and subsequent presidential sanction. The legislative process is in an advanced stage.

Participants in the debate identified five potential benefits of regulated legalization of gambling. The first would be to consolidate Brazil as an entertainment destination in Latin America. The second benefit involves attracting high-spending international tourists.

The third point relates to the increase in average length of stay in Brazilian tourist destinations. The generation of regional value chains with gastronomy, events, and services represents the fourth identified benefit. The fifth benefit would be to offer legal security to foreign investors interested in the Brazilian entertainment market.

During the panel, experts also agreed that proper regulation is crucial to ensuring that economic benefits are maximized while mitigating potential negative social impacts. International experience demonstrates that robust regulatory frameworks, including responsible gaming mechanisms and rigorous oversight, are essential for the long-term success of the sector.

The Senate vote on the bill represents the next decisive step towards legalization. After approval by the senators, the text will go to the president for signing. The conclusion of this legislative process would transform the country into a new "tropical Las Vegas," according to the vision presented in the debate.