Casa de Aposta Rio Jogo (Lema) has officially become the fifth operator to secure a license from the Rio de Janeiro State Lottery (Loterj) to offer sports betting and iGaming services. This approval comes as Brazil prepares to launch its regulated sports betting and iGaming market, with numerous operators striving to secure their licenses.
Following Loterj's recent accreditation notice, Rio Jogo joins other licensed operators like PixBet and BestBet. In addition, seven other operators, including Caesars Sportsbook and PNR Tecnologia, are in the process of gaining accreditation. João Victor de Araújo Souza, the CEO of Rio Jogo, expressed gratitude to Loterj for their efforts in regulating the gaming market in Brazil.
“We believe in a regulated gaming market and its legality,” said Souza. “We are aware of the responsibilities and duties assigned to us in the contract and we affirm that we are fully prepared for the success of the project.”
In response to the licensing of Rio Jogo, Loterj announced it would reopen the accreditation period for betting houses. This new accreditation period will last for 30 days, starting from Tuesday, May 14th.
In April, both PNR Tecnologia and Lema submitted documentation seeking Loterj accreditation to operate sports betting and iGaming. These companies conducted a proof of concept and evaluated their compliance with Loterj regulations. This process follows the announcement by Caesars Sportsbook-licensed BIG Brazil of their intention to apply for Loterj accreditation.
Despite these developments, Loterj has faced criticism, particularly from the Brazilian Institute for Responsible Gaming (IBJR). The IBJR has expressed concerns that Loterj is overstepping by granting licenses for nationwide activities, which they believe violates federal regulations.
In a note, the IBJR stated: “The acts carried out by Loterj create disorder, raise unnecessary doubts and harm the process of regulating the fixed-odds betting industry in Brazil.” André Santa Ritta, an associate lawyer at Pinheiro Neto Advogados, supported the IBJR’s criticisms, highlighting the potential legal overreach by Loterj.
“IBJR does have a point and their arguments make sense,” Santa Ritta told iGB in an email. “I myself have been involved in these discussions. I do not believe Loterj has the legal grounds to allow companies to operate in the entire country.”
As the debate continues, the future of regulated sports betting and iGaming in Brazil remains a closely watched issue, with Loterj’s role and the scope of its licensing powers at the center of the discussion.