A high-profile roundtable on the legalization of casinos in Brazil will take place during the BiS SiGMA Americas event in São Paulo from April 7 to 10, the event’s organizers have confirmed. The discussion comes as the Brazilian Senate prepares for a crucial vote on Bill 2234, which would legalize land-based gaming in the country.
The session is expected to be one of the most attended at the event, given the long-standing debate over casino legalization and its potential economic impact.
The roundtable will feature Alex Pariente, Senior Vice President of Casino & Hotel Operations at Hard Rock, along with two influential lawmakers—Senator Irajá Abreu, rapporteur for Bill 2234, and Senator Davi Alcolumbre, President of the Senate.
Pariente has been one of the leading voices advocating for legal casino operations in Brazil, frequently engaging with government officials and legislators on the issue. He previously testified before the Senate’s Committee on Constitution and Justice (CCJ), emphasizing the economic benefits of a regulated gambling market.
Senator Irajá Abreu, who drafted the bill’s report, conducted an in-depth study on casino legalization before securing committee approval. His report now awaits a full Senate vote.
Meanwhile, Senate President Davi Alcolumbre played a key role in advancing the bill through the CCJ and will ultimately determine when it is brought to the Senate floor for a final vote.
If passed in the Senate without amendments, Bill 2234 will move to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who has previously expressed support for casino legalization.
Proponents argue that legalizing casinos would attract international investment, boost tourism and create jobs, generate billions in tax revenue, and curb illegal gambling operations, which have thrived since Brazil’s casino ban in the 1940s.
The debate over legalizing casinos in Brazil has lasted more than three decades. With a potential Senate vote on the horizon, stakeholders at BiS SiGMA Americas are expected to discuss both the economic opportunities and regulatory challenges involved.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2025/03/25/99359-brazil-senate-hard-rock-executives-to-discuss-casino-legalization-at-bis-sigma-americas
