What do you think is still necessary for the casino bill to advance in the Senate? Quais são, in your opinion, are the main fears of the government in relation to its approval?

Lack of courage. Lack of strategic vision. And, above all, it is necessary to break from time to time with the outdated moralism that still paralyzes the debate in Brazil.

We are talking about a multi-billion dollar industry that can transform tourism, generate hundreds of thousands of jobs, attract foreign investment and inject resources into public coffers. As Brazil hesitates, neighboring countries such as Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguai and Chile bear the fruits of a regulated, supervised and prosperous sector.

What does the government fear? He fears not to control what now exists clandestinely. He fears criticism from conservative sectors, even knowing that Brazilians only play games in environments without consumer protection and without any return to society. Because as soon as this guideline is put aside, we stop fighting and dismantling the ingenious structures that feed and make the clandestinity viable.

It is necessary to overcome once and for all the ghosts of the past. It is no longer permissible to treat games as taboo in a country that already coexists daily with sports betting, bingos, raffles, online games and casinos on international ships.

The moment demands responsibility, sim — but also ousadia. Or Brazil needs to stop wasting time and recipes. Legalizing casinos with clear rules, efficient oversight and responsible gaming policies is an urgent and necessary step.

It's time to turn to chave. Brazil can no longer add to that decision.
 

You expressed your public position on LinkedIn with the withdrawal of guidelines in the Senate of PL dos Cassinos. What motivated you to express your dissatisfaction and what do you hope to achieve with this message?

Yes, I manifested myself publicly and made it again - because it's time for Brazil to stop fleeing from this debate.
The withdrawal of the PL dos Cassinos schedule was frustrating. We are pushing with our belly a strategic guideline for the country, while we continue to lose jobs, acquisitions and investments abroad. The Brazilian já joga — or what is missing is the State to assume this reality with responsibility.

It is inconceivable that a project that had its origins in 1991 — or, it seems, has been in process for more than 30 years at the Congress — continues to be dismissed. Since it was approved by the Chamber of Deputies in 2022, it awaits a definition in the Senate. We have been standing for three years, even after approval of the CCJ, putting together an agenda that could generate formal commitments, attract large investments and significantly increase public revenue.

I was motivated to falter because institutional silence is what slows Brazil down the most. Don't worry about treating games as taboo, as money flows freely in informality.

Minha messages you have a clear objective: to pressure, provoke, pull the comfort zone. Being in public life requires positioning. My commitment is to development, to legality and to a modern model of regulation.

You won't notice the omission. O Brazil needs to legalize the casinos with responsibility — and needs to do this now.
 

Do you notice that state regulatory bodies, like Loterj, are being affected by the legislative process and that the knowledge and experience of existing bodies are being valued?

Loterj is not being ignored as he should be, and is also inadmissible. This is the state body that has made the most progress in the regulation and oversight of gambling in Brazil, with practical experience, concrete results and a model already in operation. Disregarding this technical knowledge is a serious error that frames the federative pact and compromises the construction of an effective national regulation. If this position persists, the prejudices for the sector will be inevitable and increasingly difficult to reverse.

A Loterj does not come on. We have history, concrete results and we are the first to legally license bets in Brazil, or STF to reaffirm the competence of two States. We are a national reference in the sector. We are constantly participating in legislative and regulatory discussions on the sector and are constantly working to expand this space. Our objective is to ensure that Loterj's perspective is considered in a balanced and respectful manner, in a debate that directly impacts the federative pact and the sustainability of the market.

Still, we perceive that, in some moments, state representation does not have the same weight as other actors. Therefore, we continue to reinforce our presence in spaces where sector leaders are really built and defend a more effective participation in strategic decisions.

In this context, it is worrying that the Minister of Finance himself adopts a discourse that, instead of establishing stability, contributes to an environment of uncertainty: public statements that misinform, reduce trust and compromise the credibility of a sector that moves bilhões and that needs, more than ever, legal certainty and predictability. As Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and known as the "Ferro Lady", said, development is born from trust in individuals and in their hard work, not from excessive state control - a fundamental lição that should guide the conduct of economic policies and discourses to strengthen trust and growth sustainable

In turn, Senator Irajá, rapporteur of PL dos Cassinos, has been a positive exception. He understands the importance of hearing the States and respecting what they do in the regulation of the sector. Your commitment as a federative pact and as a dialogue is an example to be followed.

But this cannot depend on the good vote of one or another parliament. The valorization of two federative entities must be regular. The experience of two States is not detailed, it is pillar. Loterj will continue to position itself firmly. We demand active voice, institutional respect and equal participation in this process.
We want a serious, modern and sustainable model, based on the road, legitimacy and results. Exclusion check. Chega suddenly. Brazil needs to move forward — and is also beginning to respect the federative pact.
 

What is the impact of Rio de Janeiro on the Lottery of a clear regulation of games of chance, games of bugs and physical casinos?

A clear and definitive regulation of the games of chance — including physical casinos and animal games — is a strategic urgency for Rio de Janeiro and Lottery. It is not just about business or undertakings — it is a powerful instrument of economic and, above all, social development.
Loterj invests a large part of what is earned in social programs. Between 2015 and 2022, more than R$67 million will be applied directly to social impact projects.

In 2025, USD 3,1 millones will be invested — more than 12 times the value applied in 2021 (USD 247.000), or representing an impressive increase of 1,152%. This percentage is the result of the exponential growth of the resources allocated, driven by strategic actions and the effective management of the Lottery's current directorate. This advance reflects the sector's bid, the increase in revenue and, above all, the concrete expansion of the social scope of the allocation of resources.

And we talk about concrete actions, our children's education spaces that serve 750 children in deprived and notoriously disadvantaged communities, Vila do João, Cidade de Deus and Jardim Batan. In addition to providing direct assistance to children, at least two officials must be residents of the benefited region, generating additional work and income for various families. We are also sponsors of the Carioca Série A2 Championship, supporting not only the professional clubs, but also the U-15, U-17, U-20 and women's soccer categories. An investment that generates opportunities, strengthens through sport and promotes inclusion, discipline and citizenship through football. For 18 years, Lar da Mulher has been a safe haven for victims of domestic violence in Rio de Janeiro. With 3,446 women and children supported, this initiative of the State Government — supported by Loterj resources — not only saves lives, but rather reaffirms our commitment to dignity, human rights and the protection of women.

We are also in the final challenge of regulating the Video Lottery Terminal (VLT), an innovative project with the potential to generate more than 60 thousand direct and indirect jobs in the State, boosting the Fluminense economy and transforming lives with respect, dignity and regional development.

This is the model that lotteries are building: efficient, transparent and socially committed. As such, the Union has earned R$3.03 billion with bets between January and May 2025 — but now it does not say where or how it will invest that money. The omissão contrasts with the fact that the States we are doing, with less structure more enxuta and social commitment.

A clear regulation guarantees legal security, respect for the federative agreement and effective return of resources to society. O Rio de Janeiro — and o Brazil — we can no longer waste time with improvisations, centralizations and empty speeches.

Loterj reaffirms his commitment to leading this process with courage, ethics and focus on social impact. If money circulates, let it circulate with purpose. That play, when regulated with responsibility, is synonymous with protection, dignity, opportunity and citizenship.
 

What message would you like to send to legislators who still need the benefits of this draft law?

To the legislators who still doubt two benefits of this draft law, I say with complete firmness: put an end to hypocrisy, leave aside the media and forget about reality!

O Brazil is losing time, losing commitments, losing bilhões in arrecadação — while some remain trapped in taboos and preconceits that have no more space in a modern society. O jogo já acontece, todos saberem disso. The question is: are we going to regulate, supervise and return benefits to the population? Or continue to fuel informality, the evasion of foreign exchange and the abandonment of opportunities?

These state lotteries will show how this sector can function with seriousness and social purpose. A Loterj invests in social programs, with direct reviews for children, institutions that support women victims of violence, cultural projects, health initiatives and actions aimed at including and à cidadania in vulnerable communities. We are lacking resources that are most needed — efficiently, transparently and with real impact.

In addition, state lotteries, with their own regulations and local oversight, generate employment, energize regional economies and distribute opportunities. With the regulation of two casinos and too many games, the potential for income generation, jobs and socially oriented careers is gigantic. We are giving the opportunity to create a model that moves the economy without sacrificing society with increased taxes, without improvisation, with a guaranteed return for the population.

The doubt of the project is being placed against progress, against economic development and against the thousands of Brazilian families that will benefit from social projects and will still count on this new source of employment and income.
This law project is a chance to throw away Brazil's inertia and place it on the path to social responsibility, fiscal justice and institutional modernization. Do not forget to date your eyes to the future and ignore society's cry for a more efficient, modern and fair country.

Or moment and now. Ouçam o povo, olhem para los numbers, enxerguem o que los Estados já estão estão doing with responsibility — and have the courage to do something certain.

Burn standing still and go back. The story will not forgive this omission.