Loterj's National Offensive Against Illegal Gambling
The president of the State Lottery of Rio de Janeiro, Hazenclever Lopes Cançado, raised the need to advance towards a coordinated national strategy to address the growth of illegal gambling in Brazil. According to him, the phenomenon has already exceeded the capacity of isolated actions and requires effective coordination between the states and the federal government.
The proposal aims at the creation of a joint task force that replicates previous experiences applied in other sensitive sectors of the economy, such as the financial and fuel sectors. Within this framework, Cançado warned that the proliferation of irregular operators not only distorts the legal market but also fuels broader criminal structures.
During an interview granted to the program EsferaCast, the head of Loterj emphasized that the fight against clandestine gambling must rely on permanent integration between state and federal agencies. Among the key institutions mentioned were the Federal Revenue Service, the Federal Police, the Financial Activities Control Council, and the Central Bank.
From his perspective, the lack of coordination allows thousands of platforms and gaming points to operate outside any control, facilitating crimes such as money laundering, drug trafficking, militia activity, and other forms of organized crime. For Cançado, tackling the problem at its root means simultaneously closing these financial and operational channels throughout the country.
In addition to the repressive approach, the president of Loterj reiterated the importance of advancing with the legalization and regulation of activities that currently operate informally, such as casinos, bingo halls, and certain types of betting. In his view, bringing these games into the legal framework would allow for greater oversight, generation of public revenue, and reduction of space for illegal operators.
Along the same lines, he advocated for the expansion of video lottery terminals in the state of Rio de Janeiro, highlighting their potential economic impact. According to him, the activity not only generates direct revenue but also stimulates related sectors such as tourism, gastronomy, and technological services.
For Cançado, a comprehensive policy that combines clear regulation, effective control, and institutional cooperation is the only viable way to organize the betting market in Brazil and reduce the influence of illegal gambling on the economy and public security.
Tags: Brazil, Brazil betting regulation, illegal betting Brazil, LOTERJ