GW08-p12-briefing:Layout 1 21/12/09 17:10 Page 1
Slots | Brazil
Gaming
firms
prepare to
samba into
Brazilian
market
International operators are sizing up future business opportunities in arguably the world’s largest unregulated
gambling market - Brazil - as observers remain optimistic that legislation authorising bingo parlours and electronic
gaming machines could be passed in 2010. James Kilsby reports.
ANALYSIS
he anticipated mistic that the bill could still parliamentarians,” he added, rience selling into that have allowed up to ten resort
T
opening of the be approved by both Houses “although undoubtedly the market,” he said. casinos throughout the
Brazilian gam- ahead of the Brazilian presi- same [political] pressures The Brazilian opportuni- country.
bling market dential elections scheduled exist as in all countries.” ties voiced at G2E followed But speaking at the
could supersede for October 2010. “Definitely, if the Brazilian reports of a significant buzz Yogonet conference held
the rollout of Class III slot The Latin American government authorises and about the market’s potential alongside SAGSE in Buenos
machines in Mexico as the gaming sector received a legalises gambling, with the at the annual SAGSE expo in Aires, Carlos Canto, president
most significant opportunity boost in mid-2009 when the right regulations, there is a Buenos Aires in October. of the Brazilian Bingo Federa-
for growth in Latin America, Mexican government indi- big, big opportunity - even There, conference organisers tion lobbying group, stated:
according to executives who cated that existing laws more so than in Mexico.” reportedly stated they were “As a first step, I think that
attended the recent G2E would allow Las Vegas-style Brazil previously autho- even preparing to hold a gam- casinos will not be in this leg-
show in Las Vegas. slot machines to be installed rised bingo and slot machine bling expo in São Paulo next islation, only bingos and elec-
Legislation headed for the in bingo halls and off-track gambling for a brief period year in anticipation of the tronic gaming machines,”
full plenary of the Brazilian betting parlours. during the 1990s, but con- Brazilian market opening up. Canto said. “[But] in future, I
Congress would authorise Guillermo Enrique cerns of political corruption Bill 270/03 was passed believe that Brazil will have
Brazil’s Ministry of Finance to Gabella, director of Argentine and a decision by Brazil’s earlier this year before three casinos. We live on tourism
award five-year licences for gambling firm Boldt SA, told Supreme Court have effec- Congressional committees in and today gambling attracts
operators to offer bingo and G2E delegates that the poten- tively led the industry to shut Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies. foreign money. Operators
video-lottery gaming via elec- tial regulation of gambling in down in recent years. The legislation will require well understand Brazil’s
tronic bingo machines. Brazil represented an even Nick Khin, president of the approval in the Brazilian potential,” Canto added.
The bill has been tipped to more exciting opportunity Americas region for Aus- Senate after a vote in the full With optimism of the
receive a debate in the Con- than Class III gaming in tralian-based gaming Chamber, however, and its tra- Brazilian market opening up
gress’ Lower House several Mexico. machine supplier Aristocrat jectory in the Upper House of on the rise both at home and
times in recent weeks. “There is great expectation Technologies, agrees that Congress will depend on abroad, Canto stated his belief
Although the vote is now with Mexico and, at this point Brazil represented one of the whether Senate leaders simi- that Brazil “had never been so
more likely to take place in in time, also Brazil,” Gabella most significant future expan- larly decide to put the bill close to regulation”.
2010 to allow the Congress told American Gaming Associ- sion opportunities for slot before committees ahead of a “I believe that at this
time to address more pressing ation president Frank machine manufacturers. full vote. moment Brazil is the most
concerns such as offshore oil Fahrenkopf. “We are obviously very The legislation has already coveted market in the gam-
reserves and disability bene- “The discussions are quite excited about Brazil, and we been amended to take out bling sector,” Canto con-
fits, observers remain opti- open, and we are talking to have already had some expe- provisions that would also cluded.
GamesWorld | 12 | December 2009/January 2010
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