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The Loteria do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (LOTERJ) has witnessed a change in leadership following the publication of official acts in the State Gazette on March 20, 2026. The decree formalizes the departure of the former president, Hazenclever Lopes Cançado, and the appointment of Fabiola Esteves Rocha as the new president.
The process was conducted through an organized administrative process under the direction of the government of the State of Rio de Janeiro. The change in leadership at the state lottery authority does not indicate an organizational change. It is an internal restructuring process.
Internal Transition Consolidates New Leadership
Hazenclever Lopes Cançado was officially removed from his position as president at his own request, as per the official decree. At the same time, Fabiola Esteves Rocha was officially dismissed from her position as vice president.
Subsequently, the same decree announced her appointment as the new president at LOTERJ. In essence, there was an internal promotion to the position within the organizational hierarchy.
The internal transition by the state lottery authority reflects an organizational governance approach to change in leadership. The change in leadership by the state lottery authority demonstrates an approach to organizational change. The change in leadership by the state lottery authority does not indicate an organizational change.
Official Decree Details the Administrative Changes
The government of the State of Rio de Janeiro formalized the change in leadership at the state lottery authority through an official decree. The official document outlines the administrative process. The details are as follows:
“DECREES OF MARCH 20, 2026
THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF RIO DE JANEIRO, in the use of his constitutional and legal powers,
RESOLVES:
TO EXONERATE, upon request, HAZENCLEVER LOPES CANÇADO, FUNCTIONAL ID No. 51334968, from the position of President, symbol PR-1, of the Loteria do Estado do Rio de Janeiro – LOTERJ. Process No. SEI-150001/003228/2026.
TO EXONERATE FABIOLA ESTEVES ROCHA, FUNCTIONAL ID No. 51380420, from the position of Vice President, symbol VP-1, of the Loteria do Estado do Rio de Janeiro – LOTERJ. Process No. SEI-150001/003256/2026.
TO APPOINT FABIOLA ESTEVES ROCHA, FUNCTIONAL ID No. 51380420, to the position of President, symbol PR-1, of the Loteria do Estado do Rio de Janeiro – LOTERJ, previously held by HAZENCLEVER LOPES CANÇADO, FUNCTIONAL ID No. 51334968. Process No. SEI-150001/003256/2026.”
This document establishes the formal nature of the process and provides transparency to the operations of the state-owned entity.
Continuity and Strategic Implications
The appointment of Fabiola Esteves Rocha establishes a continuity-based approach for LOTERJ as the organization adapts to an evolving environment in the Brazilian gaming industry. Rocha’s experience as vice president will be important for maintaining operations and potentially taking a new approach to strategies aligned with the state’s interests.
The continuity in leadership for LOTERJ is important in an environment in which there are increased levels of competition and regulatory changes in the Brazilian market for lotteries and gaming. This could be an important aspect for organizations in the state that are attempting to adapt to these changes.
Outlook for LOTERJ
With this change in leadership now complete, LOTERJ is entering a new phase with established internal management. This formal and structured change is further reinforcing governance practices while ensuring that the organization is in a position to respond to both regulatory and market opportunities.
In a constantly changing gaming landscape in Brazil, leadership decisions in state-owned gaming operations such as LOTERJ are set to play an important part in determining their future direction and sustainability.
Source: iGaming Brasil
