A Lower House special committee in Brazil has approved a bill that seeks to legalise casinos and other forms of gaming.
Under the new legal framework, casinos will have to be housed in integrated resorts that offer hotel and entertainment services. The bill that was promoted by MP Guilherme Mussi also bans operators from granting or receiving money from financial institutions.
Meanwhile, a national register of people with gambling problems will be created. Those operating illegal venues or committing gambling-related crimes will face jail sentences of up to eight years as well as economic sanctions.
The federal government of Brazil will be in charge of controling gambling venues, joining with states and municipalities across the country under an inspection agency that will be created once the project is passed.
