The city hall of Olímpia has opened a bidding process aiming to attract investors interested in creating a tourist complex in the city worth up to R$2 billion, including a casino resort.
Both domestic and international investors will be able to express interest until October 7, through the city hall’s website, in the bidding process titled competitive dialogue.
According to the project’s initial plan, the idea would be to build a complex following the Singapore model, with high-end hotels, a convention center, and entertainment.
Preparation before the law is approved
According to Olímpia’s administration, the opening of the bidding process aims to prepare the city even before Bill 2,234/2022, which would allow the opening of physical casinos, is approved.
In a statement, the mayor of Olímpia, Geninho Zuliani, explained that the city is “preparing for a new cycle of development.”
“We want to attract high-end developments, generate jobs, boost the economy, and establish Olímpia as the country’s most complete tourist destination,” he emphasized.
In other words, as soon as the regulation is approved, the city would already be prepared to receive the investments needed for its tourism expansion.
However, as the administration confirmed in a statement to staging-latam.next.io/ Brasil, there have not yet been any expressions of interest.
Will physical casinos be allowed in Brazil?
The preparation of the city of Olímpia depends on the approval of Bill 2,234/2022, which provides for the legalization of casino resorts in Brazil, as well as “jogo do bicho” and bingo.
Approved in the Chamber of Deputies in March 2022, the Bill moved to the Federal Senate and has since passed through the Constitution, Justice, and Citizenship Committee (CCJ).
Even though it was approved by the CCJ, the proposal has not gone through other relevant committees, such as the Economic Affairs and Tourism committees.
At the moment, the Bill is ready to go to the floor, but its progress is not under an urgent regime and depends on a political decision to come up for a vote.
Among some relevant aspects included in the proposal is the creation of integrated casinos, with one per state.
There would be exceptions, such as in São Paulo, with a limit of 3 of them, and in the states of Rio, Minas, Amapá, and Pará, with up to two each.
Other casino resort projects
Besides Olímpia, there are also other casino resort projects in the country, awaiting only a favorable legislative decision to get started.
In São Paulo, for example, Galaxy Entertainment, from Hong Kong, announced in 2025 that it intends to develop a multibillion-dollar casino resort in the city.
Hard Rock, meanwhile, has plans to invest in the integrated casino sector in the country, with plans for developments in Fortaleza, Jericoacoara, Foz do Iguaçu, and Gramado.
In Rio de Janeiro, MGM Resorts has also expressed interest in building a casino resort in the city, should Brazilian laws allow it.