Loterj wants to take down bookmaker sites without a licence to operate in Rio de Janeiro

The initiative is seen as another of the organisation's attempts to hinder the federal government's regulation of sports betting. Caio de Souza Loureiro, a partner in the Gaming & E-sports area of TozziniFreire Advogados, says there is no legal basis for the request.

"There is no legal basis for the request, as it is based on a State Decree, which can never override Federal Law. The measure is yet another attempt by Loterj to hinder the progress of federal regulation," says Loureiro.

The initiative is seen as another of the organisation's attempts to hinder the federal government's regulation of sports betting. Caio de Souza Loureiro, a partner in the Gaming & E-sports area of TozziniFreire Advogados, says there is no legal basis for the request.

"There is no legal basis for the request, as it is based on a State Decree, which can never override Federal Law. The measure is yet another attempt by Loterj to hinder the progress of federal regulation," says Loureiro.

Law 14.790/2023 gave bookmakers already operating in Brazil a period of 180 days to adjust to the new Ministry of Finance regulations, which won't be finalised until the second half of the year.

In addition, Loureiro points out that the Federal Supreme Court (STF) ruled to break the Union's monopoly and allowed states to also operate lottery services (of which betting is a type). "The primacy of the Union to legislate on the matter is clear," he says.

In response to Loterj's request, the court ordered the Federal Prosecutor's Office to take a position on the case before issuing a decision.