Two issues related to the gaming market are in vogue in Brazil: lotteries and land-based casinos. Both topics were widely debated during BiS SiGMA Americas, held in São Paulo. Hiago Piau, from the National Lottery Association, spoke about the potential and controversies surrounding these two areas.
There is currently a dispute involving the federal, state and municipal lotteries. “I won’t call it a fight, because I’m already beginning to notice that there has been a peace between the federal and state lotteries. I believe that they now have a common dispute: the municipalities – which also have the right to have their lotteries legalized.”
Piau said that the last meeting with the Secretary of Prizes and Bets, Regis Dudena, and the state representatives brought progress. “They are trying to unify. What used to generate discussion, they are now trying to resolve and pacify the relationship,” he said.
The land-based gambling in Brazil
Hiago Piau also commented on the Casinos Bill, currently being processed in the Senate, which provides for the release of bingo, casinos, horse racing betting and other verticals.
“We have had this bill (Casinos Bill) for some time now, waiting to be voted on, but we have started to see the presence of senators, including at these events, which shows their willingness to help and understand how the business works, to bring better expertise to the members of the House,” he explained.
Furthermore, he believes that this regulation will benefit states and municipalities. “It opens up a possibility for VLTs to be installed in municipalities, which work in a similar way. This year, I think 80% of the states will already have regulations or are organizing themselves. However, I believe there will be a big discussion regarding municipal lotteries,” he concluded.