Brazil is suffering because of the coronavirus pandemic just like everyone else.  This has led to increased efforts to legalize casinos in the country as a means to recover much-needed revenue, although gambling proponents find obstacles at every turn.  A recent move by the country’s president, Jair Bolsonaro, to make lotteries an “essential business” during the COVID-19 lockdown was battled in court, with a federal judge ultimately cutting down the initiative at its roots.  This is just one of the many examples of the challenges facing gambling legislation.  However, a new effort has now sprung up that might help ease the pressure and clear out a path toward eventual legal casino operations in the country, even if it means having to take the long road. 

Bolsonaro, along with Economy Minister Paulo Guedes, approved a measure last week that sees the establishment of a nationwide Investment Partnerships Program (PPI, for its Portuguese acronym).  The program is designed to boost the tourism sector through private investments, but could conceivably work to see casinos make their way toward government approval.  For that to happen, though, some fancy footwork will be needed. 

The PPI is going to be managed by a government committee that is comprised of a number of tourism officials.  These same individuals are reportedly very supportive of legalized gaming in the country, and will use their influence to try to shape policy.  Games Magazine Brazil adds that these individuals will “strongly propose” legalizing casinos as a way to “attract multimillion-dollar investments and generate thousands of jobs” in the country.

The idea is, through the PPI, to create new alliances that will lead to the development of investment companies in Brazil with a focus on expanding cultural and civic assets tied to tourism.  Those on the committee are expected to meet every other week in order to proactively develop the plan and help it achieve widespread success, and one of the primary initiatives on the PPI’s agenda is the legalization and regulation of casinos on a national level.