Legislation submitted to authorise 32 casino licences across Brazil
Brazilian democrat, Paulo Azi, has submitted a bill that calls for the authorisation of 32 casino licenses across the country as reported by Games Magazine Brazil.
If passed, the bill would approve the opening of resort hotels with attached casinos in Brazil. As part of the proposal, the government would receive 10 per cent of the gross revenues generated by the casinos, which would be directed towards public safety and tourism programs.
The revenues would be split evenly between the General Fund for Tourism (FUNGETUR) and the National Public Security Fund (FNSP).
According to the proposals, states with a population of 15 million or less would be permitted to open one casino, while states with populations between 15 million and 25 million would have two.
São Paolo is set to be the only state that will be authorized to open three casinos due to its 45 million inhabitants. Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and Bahia would qualify for two casinos while 23 other states could have one each.
Licenses for casino operation would be granted through a system of public bidding, which would give each state a 30 years license. If the legislation is to be approved, casinos must ensure that they implement internal measures to ensure that money laundering is prevented, and that steps are taken to ban gambling addicts from entering the casino premises.
Casinos will be limited to occupying a maximum of 10 per cent of the resort areas, which will also required to also include a number of other attractions, including: “convention centres, spas, restaurants, bars, shopping malls, art galleries, museums, theatres, musicals shows, golf courses, sports plazas, theme parks and water parks.”
In order to be approved, the bill needs to receive a majority of the 513 MEPs in addition to a majority of the 81 Senators, before proceeding to a presidential sanction.
Source: SBC News
