Zona de Azar Brazil – Interview with Hazenclever Lopes Cançado, President of Rio de Janeiro State Lottery (Loterj)

Brazil.- 25th March 2024 www.zonadeazar.com During the SBC Summit Rio, held from March 5th to 7th at the Windsor Convention & Expo Center in Rio de Janeiro, we had the privilege of interviewing Hazenclever Lopes Cançado, President of Loterj, the Rio de Janeiro State Lottery.

In an exclusive conversation with Zona de Azar, President Lopes Cançado highlighted the significant benefits for the residents of Rio de Janeiro following the authorization of online sports betting.

The state broke paradigms by leading this initiative, attracting national and international investors, and promoting legality and security for bettors and the market.

Moreover, Loterj allocates 70% of its profits to social actions, demonstrating a clear commitment to the community and social development.

This movement not only positively impacts the sports betting market in Brazil but also serves as an example of regulation and social responsibility at the national level.

Rio de Janeiro reinforces its position as an economic powerhouse and an innovative leader in this constantly evolving sector.

Following, the full interview:

• What are the benefits for the residents of Rio de Janeiro now that Loterj has become the first state lottery in Brazil to authorize online sports betting?

Rio de Janeiro, through Loterj, is a pioneer in lotteries and gaming in Brazil. It has always been at the forefront, innovating in its launches and new products. And it couldn’t be different now with online gaming and sports betting.

Rio de Janeiro dared, Rio de Janeiro broke paradigms, and we were the first state and the only one so far to legalize sports betting and online gaming in Brazil.

For Rio de Janeiro, for the State of Rio de Janeiro, the main benefit is, first and foremost, attracting investors, major national and international players to come and invest in Rio, establish themselves here, and operate legally.

And we are offering the best conditions for these players to operate legally, in the light and in regularity, regulating, providing security to bettors, security to the market, and security to the government itself.

For the population, the major benefit is that Loterj allocates 70% of its profits to social actions, supporting daycares, schools, hospitals, public safety, sports, culture.

So today we invest in several daycares in needy communities in the State of Rio de Janeiro, we invest in health, we invest in sports, with sports projects, we invest in shelters for women victims of violence.

We have an investment of financial resources for society, and in the priority of Governor Claudio Castro to seek dignity, offer dignity, and opportunities for income generation to the population.

• What could be the impact of Loterj’s authorization on the sports betting market in Brazil?

The impact is this disruptive movement of Loterj, offering opportunities to society, offering opportunities to the lottery industry, an accreditation, the opportunity for betting houses to operate regularly and regulated in Brazil.

We need to seize this immense, billionaire market and reverse contributions to society with income generation, with opportunities.

This is our major impact, and Loterj is showing the market that it is possible, that yes, it is possible. All it takes is courage, audacity, technical capacity, demonstrating government leadership, and making legal, responsible gaming happen.

• Could Loterj’s experience be an example of national-level regulation in Brazil?

Loterj is already an example. Loterj is showing the market, showing the federation, as a whole, that it is possible to regulate, that it is possible to regulate, that it is possible to bring all betting houses into legality, that it is possible to offer players, bettors, security, responsible gaming, with clear rules. No need to work in tax havens.

But here in Brazil, generating taxes, generating income, generating employment, generating taxes, and promoting social justice. Loterj is showing that yes, it is possible. The model is there. It’s standing. Companies are operating. This is an example for the country.

Once again, Rio de Janeiro is Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro is an economic powerhouse in the country. Rio de Janeiro has its prominence and, once again, is at the forefront. It is in the leadership position in the market.

Edited by: @MaiaDigital www.zonadeazar.com