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A landmark vote on the horizon
Brazil may be on the verge of a seismic shift in its gaming and tourism landscape. Bill 2.234, currently before the Senate after passing the Chamber of Deputies in 2022, could open the door to 61 licensed gaming establishments across the country — including integrated casino resorts and tourist casinos. With the Constitution and Justice Committee already delivering a favourable opinion, the final decision now rests with the full Senate and, ultimately, the President.
The potential prize is significant: industry projections suggest casino legalization could attract up to $70 billion in direct and indirect investment — a figure that dominated discussions at the recent SBC Summit Rio.
Rio de Janeiro leads the way
Experts at the Summit were largely aligned on one point: Rio de Janeiro is best positioned to be the first Brazilian city to welcome a casino resort. The city received 2.2 million international tourists in 2023 and has seen continued growth in overseas visitors, making it a natural gateway for large-scale entertainment investment.
TurisRio president Sergio Ricardo Martins de Almeida noted just how far the debate has come. “Thirteen years ago, this discussion was considered a taboo,” he said, adding that Rio’s resurgence as a global destination makes it the ideal first home for casino resorts. Areas such as Barra da Tijuca — already well-established for conventions, hotels and shopping — have been flagged as prime locations for major entertainment complexes.
More than just casinos
Bruno Omori, president of the Institute for Tourism Development, was keen to frame the opportunity in its broader context. The $70 billion figure, he explained, reflects not just the resorts themselves but an entire ecosystem — architecture, infrastructure, technology, training, marketing and hospitality all stand to benefit.
The Las Vegas model offers a useful reference point: in mature integrated resort markets, gaming accounts for only 25% to 30% of total revenue, with hospitality, conventions and entertainment making up the majority. Brazil’s operators would be building businesses, not just casinos.
A different experience from online gaming
Fabio Tiberia, vice president for Brazil at VBET, drew a clear distinction between the physical casino experience and the online gaming market. “We cannot treat a casino like a single wheel on a bicycle: it is necessary to offer a complete experience, 24 hours of attractions, gastronomy, and shows,” he said, emphasising that extended visitor stays generate revenue across multiple sectors simultaneously.
Tiberia also highlighted the importance of regulatory stability in unlocking international investment — a point echoed by most attendees at the Summit.
