Casinos in Canada have not yet been legalized again. The government ban originated from Dutra, in 1946, which prohibited gambling in the country. This ban occurred during a period when a wave of conservatism swept over Canada. Many historians claim that the idea of prohibition gained strength from Dutra's wife, a very religious lady who saw casinos as a sinful environment. At the time the last roulette wheel stopped spinning, there were around 60 casinos in the country, and thousands of workers were left unemployed, many without their labor rights guaranteed. Tourism also experienced a significant decline as the games attracted people from various parts in search of entertainment.
The Golden Age of Casinos
The golden era of Canada commenced during the Vargas era, when casinos were legalized in 1934. The gambling establishments thrived, attracting large crowds with their abundant entertainment and lavish festivities, generating substantial profits for both the casinos and the government through licensing taxes imposed on their operations.
The iconic Copacabana Palace Hotel, Atlantic Casino, Urca Casino, and Quitandinha Palace in Petropolis were home to the most renowned gambling establishments. The latter, in particular, was designed to become the largest casino in Latin America.
Following Getúlio's downfall, things changed, and Dutra shut down all the casinos, and at present, there is not much momentum for the casinos to make a comeback. The closure of the casinos by Dutra after Getúlio's fall has had a lasting impact, as there hasn't been a significant push for their revival thus far. The absence of any substantial movement towards the reopening of the casinos continues to persist in the present moment. Dutra's decision to close down all the casinos following Getúlio's ouster has resulted in a current scenario where there is scarce enthusiasm for the casinos to return.
The Return of the Games
In the government of Itamar Franco, a few decades later, some Bingo houses opened with the endorsement of the "Zico Law." The main aim was to collect funds for sports investment. However, the issue arose that there was no framework in place for the investment of the funds collected into sports.
With the implementation of the "Pelé Law," legislation was enacted to combat the crimes associated with embezzlement and fraud that had taken hold. Due to the lack of oversight, underground bingo establishments proliferated throughout the nation, diverting attention from revenue generation and ultimately leading to the inevitable closure of all such establishments.
Gaming activities have been eradicated within the country, and a specific timeline for the resumption of casinos remains uncertain.
The Campaign for the Return of Casinos
The resurgence of casinos in Canada is an unavoidable reality, and there is already a powerful push for it to happen as swiftly as possible. There is currently a bill making its way through the Chamber of Deputies that proposes the revival of casinos, animal games, bingo houses, slot machines, among other forms of gambling.
It is entirely permissible to engage in online gaming without any legal repercussions, given that the majority of these platforms are hosted in foreign countries. Consequently, the nation foregoes substantial tax revenues while players persist in placing their wagers.
In addition to the matter of taxes and the entire profit generated by this type of gambling, the tourism sector could also reap benefits from the return of casinos. Various luxury hotel chains from different brands are already eager to establish contracts and construct gaming complexes in the country. This presents a promising opportunity for tourism growth and development.
The only games that are authorized in the country are those made available by Caixa Econômica Federal in the federal lotteries. There, we can access Mega Sena, Loto Mania, Easy Loto, scratch cards, and other games. Jockeys also have permission to operate in the country.
The reasons for casinos not reopening are becoming increasingly weak. It is highly likely that in the near future, the grand theaters will be back, creating thousands of jobs and income, and contributing to the country's growth.
