Brazilian Deputy Adjuto Afonso has explained why it would be beneficial to implement a state lottery in Amazonas as the recent decision from the Federal Supreme Court (STF) allows states to open their markets and offer their own lottery products.
On September 30, the STF unanimously decided that the Union does not have the exclusivity to operate lottery games in the country.
Amazonas, one of the states that already had a law authorizing the activity, wants to implement this decision to be able to generate revenues for the local government.
The 2013 law that allowed Amazonas to offer a lottery set that 50% of the profits from the operation of lottery games would be used for social programs, while the remaining 50% would be used for investment and sponsorship of local athletes.
Afonso said, according to BNL Data: “States such as Minas Gerais and Mato Grosso are already starting to implement their lotteries. Amazonas must follow this trend, as it is an important source of revenue.”
With the same goal to boost revenues, federal Deputy Alberto Neto presented a bill in March to legalize casino resorts in the state. The legislation, which did not get much traction, proposed that Amazonas become a laboratory to assess the viability of casinos in Brazil.
Neto added at the time: “Although there was no consensus to legalize casinos on a national level, I believe the state of Amazonas could be the first one and, therefore, a true laboratory to assess if the country is ready to receive casinos.”
