The Government of Rio Grande do Norte forwarded to the State Legislative Assembly (ALRN), on Thursday (10), the bill that establishes the state lottery public service.
Furthermore, the proposal defines the creation of the Rio Grande do Norte State Lottery Fund. According to the text, the exploration of lottery services is the State’s obligation either through concessions or accreditations.
According to the proposal, the State Finance Department (SEFAZ) will be responsible for organizing and coordinating the services. Thus, the implementation of the service will allow the strengthening of public policies.
The funds raised from bets will be invested in areas such as public safety, affordable housing, science and technology, as well as social security and the maintenance of lottery services.
The proposal must be processed urgently in the Legislative Assembly. Therefore, the Executive expects the project to be approved in 2025.
The fund’s main revenue will come from the profits from ticket sales and bets, whether sold directly by the State or through concessions.
The State Executive’s proposal is based on decisions by the Federal Supreme Court (STF). In 2020, the STF recognized that the Union does not have exclusive rights to operate lottery services. As a result, states and the Federal District are authorized to regulate and operate such activities within their territories.
With the project forwarded to the ALRN, the state government revokes Law 8.118/2002, which established the former Lottery of the State of RN. The justification is that the legislation is outdated compared to the most recent federal regulations.
State lottery managed by the Treasury
If the text is approved, the State Lottery Fund will be the responsibility of the Treasury, which will also be responsible for editing the complementary normative acts and conducting the regulation of the service.
According to the proposal, the Rio Grande do Norte lottery must operate numerical prediction contests, specific predictions and sports predictions, as already occurs in the games operated by the Federal Lottery. In addition, the instant lottery service (by physical or virtual means), as is the case with scratch cards.
The proposal provides for the opening of a special credit line in the amount of R$3 million for the installation of the State Lottery. It also includes the adoption of systems aimed at the integrity of the lottery market. In addition to the focus on the security of physical and digital tickets, combating fraud and promoting responsible gaming.
The games must follow lottery plans approved by an act of the executive secretary of State Revenue.
