"Casino bill should be approved and sanctioned by Lula in the first half of the year," says Brazilian tourism minister

Last Thursday it was launched in Madrid, Spain, the ‘Tourism Doing Business: Investing in Brazil’ guide which aims to stimulate foreign participation in the sector and present the world with the benefits, conditions and business opportunities offered by tourism projects in Brazil. The document was produced by CAF (Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean) and UN Tourism, in collaboration with the Brazilian Ministry of Tourism.

During the breakfast to launch the Brazil Investment Guide, Celso Sabino spoke exclusively to M&E about topics such as the business environment for foreign investors in the country, the possible merger of Gol and Azul, and the possible legalisation of gambling and casinos.

Asked whether, with the new guide and this more favourable environment for foreign investment, the pressure to legalise the Gambling and Casinos Bill should become greater, Sabino revealed that the bill should be sanctioned by President Lula in the first half of this year.

Sabino emphasised the potential of this activity to boost tourism and attract large investments. ‘The bill regulating casinos has already been approved in the House and is in the Senate. Our expectation is that it will be approved and signed by President during the first semester 2025", he affirmed. 

The minister emphasised that, regulated in a responsible and sustainable way, this activity can generate employment, tax revenue and economic development in Brazil, in line with the practices adopted in other countries around the world.

Attractiveness

Brazil has been consolidating its position as an attractive destination for foreign investment in the tourism sector. In the first three quarters of 2024, the country received US$ 212 million in international revenues resulting from activities linked to the segment, an increase of 231% compared to the same period in 2023 (US$ 64.6 million). The figures are part of a survey carried out by the Ministry of Tourism, based on statistics from the Central Bank. Between August and October 2024 alone, Brazilian tourism attracted a total of US$ 86.8 million in foreign direct investment, a jump of 278% compared to the US$ 23.1 million collected at the same time in 2023.

Exhibition

Brazil is the country being honoured at the 2025 edition of FITUR, one of the sector's biggest global events and the start of the international tourism calendar. In an area of 308 m², the Brazilian stand is home to 37 co-exhibitors from different states, who are bringing the charms and opportunities of national tourism to the public. These include the country's biodiversity, rich gastronomy and hundreds of natural and cultural beauties.