The Secretariat of Evaluation, Planning, Energy and Lottery (SECAP), which comes under the Ministry of Economy of Brazil, will administrate, regulate and control new state lotteries in the country, which are now possible thanks to a Supreme Court ruling from September but officially released last week.
As confirmed in an interview with BNL Data by the Undersecretary of SECAP, Waldir Eustáquio Marques Jr., the secretariat will have a similar job to the one it already does with national lotteries operated by Caixa Econômica Federal.
“We understand that the Supreme Court’s decision was important to clarify the legality regarding the provision of lottery services by the states and the federal district,” Waldir said.
“This decision was a milestone for the sector and makes the legal framework clear, while guaranteeing federation entities this important source of income,” he added.
SECAP is now in charge of preparing a technical document to unify regulatory criteria, guarantee transparency, establish prize limits, taxes and services, and develop a fair competition environment, a solid administration and the protection of vulnerable groups. In addition, it will establish regulations against money laundering, disclosure of balance sheets and other security measures.
“It’s necessary to clarify these issues in order to provide publicity and transparency since we know the level of complexity around lottery operations. The recommendation is to implement these initiatives through federal law.”
Furthermore, the official recalled that the Supreme Court ruling set that even though the national government should be involved in the inspection, control and regulation, each state may add conditions to launch their own lotteries.
“The ruling defined that the states can regulate the activity to make the service operational. Even the lotteries that are already in operation can continue to operate, but their plans will have to be approved by SECAP.”
