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July 16th of 2025 saw Loterj (Rio de Janeiro State Lottery) management hold an important meeting at their headquarters to continue discussions on the approval of Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs). Loterj President Hazenclever Lopes Cançado and vice-president Fabíola Esteves welcomed legal advisors Roberto Carvalho Brasil Fernandes and Alexandre Amaral Filho to talk about the regulatory structure in the making in the state.
The focus of the conference was as much on the technical regulation of VLTs as it was on showcasing them as an alternative distribution medium for already-proven lottery games. “We must come to perceive VLTs as a channel of distribution for traditional lottery games, not as a new form of game“, emphasized Roberto Brasil Fernandes, one of the most highly-regarded legal experts within Brazil’s lottery and gaming industry.
Conveying Regulatory Progress and Institutional Direction
Loterj administration presented the state government’s progress in putting a comprehensive and secure regulatory scheme in place for VLTs. Esteves, Vice-President Minister, stated, “Rio de Janeiro is a well-ahead leader in modernizing the lottery business. The VLT scheme is a major step in diversifying access to state lottery products responsibly and lawfully.”
The conversation was marked by an emphasis on legal certainty and the protection of consumers. Hazenclever Lopes Cançado reaffirmed the state’s commitment to innovation with responsibility. “Our purpose is to offer contemporary solutions without sacrificing openness and regulatory strictness. Hearing out experienced professionals is essential to devising effective public policy“, he reaffirmed.
Expert Endorsement and Legal Recognition
The inclusion of Brasil Fernandes and his colleague, Alexandre Amaral Filho, provided the technical expertise to the discussion. The two attorneys are employed by the Brazil Fernandes Advogados law firm, which has dominated the defense and definition of Brazil’s lottery and gaming legal practice since 2005.
In particular, the firm gained national recognition with its success in winning the ADF 493/ABLE case in Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court (STF), where it promoted state independence in running lotteries. The triumph of the courts especially served to expand state-run lotteries and to advance legal security for public and private interests within the industry.
Amaral Filho greeted Loterj’s proactive attitude during the meeting. “Loterj’s pro-active attitude inspires investor faith and supports the basis for a healthy gaming industry in Brazil“, he added.
Balancing Innovation with Social Responsibility
In addition to regulatory mechanisms, the session also touched upon the broader social role of lotteries. Fernandes highlighted the social role of lotteries in financing public welfare through state-sponsored gaming schemes. “Loterj has demonstrated evident vision concerning the social responsibilities associated with its mandate. Its technical precision and transparency set an example for the industry“, he said.
This meeting represented another milestone on the path of Rio de Janeiro toward leadership as a regulator within Brazil’s dynamic lottery and gaming landscape. With stakeholders from the legal, institutional, and market elements, the way is now open to the regulated implementation of policies for VLTs that seem both promising and strategically advisable.
The partnership between public institutions and legal professionals represents a turning point for the modernization of Brazil’s lottery—a balance between innovation, legal framework, and public interest.
Source: BNL Data
