Araxá Bets on Casinos to Boost Local Tourism
Brazil.– September 16, 2025 – www.zonadeazar.com The municipality of Araxá, Minas Gerais, has taken decisive steps toward opening physical casinos as a strategy to revitalize its tourism economy. With a municipal bill approved prior to national legislation, Araxá aims to leverage its history, infrastructure, and strategic location to attract investment.
Overview
Araxá approved municipal Bill PL154/2025, introduced by Mayor Robson Magela, authorizing the private concession of “gaming services in a tourist modality.” While federal laws for physical casinos are still pending, the city is moving proactively to position itself.
Located in the Alto Paranaíba tourism region, the city enjoys several competitive advantages: established resorts, hotels, convenient access from São Paulo and Goiás, safe reputation, and a Human Development Index (HDI) above 0.77—ideal conditions for tourism-led growth.
Details / Context
Municipal project and licensing
- PL154/2025 allows casino operations under a tourism model even before full national regulation for physical casinos is in place.
- Municipal authorities assert they are ready to meet upcoming national requirements.
- Expected licensing criteria include partnerships with resorts or high-end hotels, infrastructure, social oversight, safety standards, and compliance with state and federal norms.
Economic and tourism impact
- The city already has about 2,700 hotel beds, with two more hotels planned to open this year.
- Hosts nearly 20 tourism events annually, including national and international festivals like Expoqueijo. Araxá has long been known for its tourism potential.
- Officials expect the casino project to stimulate commerce and services, with ripple effects in healthcare, security, and education.
Key Subtopics
National regulation still pending
- Federal Bill PL 2.234/2022, which covers authorization of casinos, bingo halls, and similar land-based gaming, has already been approved by the Senate’s Constitution and Justice Committee and is headed to the full Senate.
- By acting ahead of national law, Araxá hopes to be a model municipality ready to implement tourism-casinos once regulation is finalized.
Local advantages
- Strategic location, existing tourism infrastructure, high HDI, safety perception, accessibility from major regions.
- Potential multiplier effects for local economy: hotels, restaurants, transport, entertainment, culture. A casino can be a catalyst more than just a gaming venue.
Future Perspective
Araxá’s initiative could serve as a precedent for other municipalities seeking to anticipate national regulation. If Bill PL 2.234/2022 passes, clear regulatory rules for licensing, operation, social oversight, and taxation will be needed.
For Brazil overall, properly regulated tourism casinos can become a significant source of tax revenue, job creation, and local development, especially in tourist regions.
Araxá seems ready to lead. If it succeeds in attracting responsible private investment that meets high standards, it may become a benchmark for regulated casino tourism in Latin America.
Zona de Azar highlights Araxá as a case of municipal foresight, combining tourism, regulation and responsibility to drive sustainable local development.
Editó: @_fonta www.zonadeazar.com