Brazil: Rio Grande do Norte Lottery to Start Operations in Early 2026
Brazil.– December 12, 2025 – www.zonadeazar.com The State of Rio Grande do Norte has confirmed that its public lottery, LOTERN, is expected to begin operations in the first half of 2026. The project combines fixed-odds betting with traditional lottery products and forms part of a broader strategy to expand regulated gaming activities at the state level in Brazil. The accreditation process for private operators is set to be launched before the end of the year.
Overview
LOTERN is being structured as a state-run lottery service with private partners selected through a public accreditation process. The legal framework that created the lottery defines it as a public service under state responsibility, with the possibility of delegating operation to qualified companies under strict regulatory oversight.
The initiative signals the intention of Rio Grande do Norte to take advantage of its constitutional competence over lottery services, diversifying revenue sources and aligning with the national trend of strengthening regulated gaming environments. By launching its own lottery, the state seeks to combine entertainment, controlled risk and a clear social purpose for the funds generated.
Details / Context
The establishment of LOTERN follows the approval of a state law authorizing the creation and operation of the public lottery service, later detailed in a regulatory decree. This framework sets out key elements such as the types of games allowed, eligibility requirements for operators, control mechanisms and the governance structure responsible for supervision.
Initially, the main focus will be fixed-odds betting, a product that allows players to know in advance the potential return on their stake. Over time, the portfolio is expected to expand to include numerical draws and additional lottery formats, both in physical outlets and through digital platforms.
The accreditation process will be conducted via a public notice, open to companies capable of demonstrating technical expertise, financial capacity and compliance with legal and regulatory standards. The rules also allow for consortia, encouraging partnerships between national and international groups, while ensuring a meaningful Brazilian presence in corporate structures.
Specific Subtopics
🔹 Economic outlook
Authorities project that LOTERN will contribute significantly to the state’s non-tax revenues once fully operational in 2026. The lottery is designed to become a recurring source of income, easing pressure on traditional taxation while directing resources to priority policy areas.
Beyond the numerical projections, the initiative is also seen as a driver of local economic activity, stimulating technology investments, service contracts and job creation in areas such as retail, information systems and regulatory compliance.
🔹 Products and distribution channels
LOTERN’s design anticipates a hybrid distribution model. Physical points of sale will coexist with online channels, offering players different ways to participate. This approach aims to broaden accessibility while maintaining strong identification, security and responsible gaming protocols.
Digital channels, in particular, will require advanced technological solutions to handle registration, payments, risk management and data protection. The use of certified platforms and auditable systems will be a central requirement for participating operators.
🔹 Governance, oversight and integrity
The state finance authority is tasked with overseeing all aspects of the lottery’s operation. This includes monitoring the issuance of tickets, supervising the operation of betting systems, verifying payouts and ensuring full compliance with applicable regulations.
Integrity safeguards include anti-fraud measures, monitoring tools to detect irregularities and policies aligned with best practices in anti-money-laundering and responsible gaming. These elements are intended to build trust among players and demonstrate that the lottery operates under a transparent and accountable model.
🔹 Social purpose and lottery fund
A core element of LOTERN’s concept is the establishment of a dedicated lottery fund. Revenues are to be channeled, after prize payments and operational costs, to programs in areas such as health, education, public safety and social development. Unclaimed prizes, once the legally defined period has expired, are also directed to this fund.
This structure reinforces the idea that the lottery serves a social mission: it is not only a regulated entertainment activity, but also an instrument to support public policies and expand the state’s capacity to respond to community needs.
Future outlook
As the accreditation notice is prepared and the implementation schedule advances, Rio Grande do Norte moves closer to joining the group of Brazilian states with fully structured lottery systems. The success of LOTERN will depend on the quality of the partnerships established, the effectiveness of regulatory oversight and the ability to communicate clearly with the public.
If these conditions are met, the Rio Grande do Norte lottery may become a reference point for state-level gaming regulation in Brazil, showing how fixed-odds betting and traditional lottery products can coexist in a modern, transparent and socially oriented framework.
🔗 Edited by: @_fonta www.zonadeazar.com