Senator Silvestre is confident Brazil will make progress on legalized casinos before the end of the year
Brazilian Senator Irajá Silvestre is expressing optimism about the future of casino legalization in Brazil, sharing that the Senate may vote on a bill later this year to allow casinos in integrated resorts. As rapporteur for the legislation, Silvestre discussed the proposal’s potential economic impact, emphasizing how it could boost tourism and provide substantial revenue through regulated gaming.
Silvestre points to widespread support from both public and private sectors for Bill 2.234/22, which aims to establish a legal framework for physical casinos under a system of responsible regulation. He notes that backing from major business associations and government ministries underscores the perceived economic benefits, such as job creation and tax revenue. He sees this as an essential move to counter illegal gambling and redirect that activity into a controlled, government-supervised environment.
According to the senator, approving this bill could lead to a major increase in tourism. Currently, Brazil attracts around six million visitors annually; with the establishment of casinos, Silvestre believes this number could double to 12 million over the next five years.
Such a boost in international tourism would bring foreign spending and significantly benefit local businesses and service providers. He also projects that integrated resort investments could exceed BRL 100 billion (USD$17.3 billion), providing a fresh wave of infrastructure and employment opportunities across the country.
The senator estimates that if the bill passes by the end of the year, the government would start the bidding process for casino operators in 2025. This approach would be similar to recent successful airport privatizations, with private companies given the opportunity to compete for these high-value investments.
This bill’s potential passage could signal a new chapter for Brazil’s tourism and entertainment industries, marking the country as a significant destination for international visitors looking for casino experiences within South America.
