"We will propose to congress casinos like in Macau and Singapore" Brazilian Tourism Institute stated

Gilson Machado Neto said in Macau, on the sidelines of an international tourism forum, that there are several “ambitious actions” that will be sent to the Brazilian Congress later this year, but that there is also a proposal that is under consideration: opening of casinos in Brazil.

“Another thing we have in mind is the liberalization of clusters from integrated resorts like this one [MGM in Macau], casino in Brazil,” he explained. “In Brazil casinos are still prohibited,” he said, so it is necessary to ensure a legislative change to make this bet in the gaming and leisure industry.

“It is this model of Macau and Singapore that we are studying and we will present to Congress,” said Gilson Machado Neto.

In the world’s gambling capital, where about 40 million visitors are expected this year, the Brazilian tourism minister had already made a point of pointing out on Monday one of the bets to further boost tourism and private financing: casinos.

“I want to remind you that the legislative [power] in Brazil is considering regulating the operation of casinos in [integrated] resorts, opening up major investment routes” in the country, said Marcelo Álvaro António, on the sidelines of the Global Tourism Economy Forum, which ends today in Macau.

Also on Monday, businesswoman Pansy Ho said that “Macau’s experienced gambling industry” would be interested in a possible investment in Brazil if the country chooses to open integrated resorts.

The billionaire and reference shareholder of one of Macau’s gaming operators, MGM China, stressed that it must not be forgotten that Brazil “is one of the largest economies in Latin America” and that interest will always depend on future conditions, criteria and expectations to be set.