Loterj decided, exceptionally, to sell the Rio de Prêmios tickets over the internet with the objective of “protecting citizens who are not circulating on the streets due to the pandemic and, in the same way, ensuring the resources of the State.” The contract in force with MCE Intermediações e Negócios did not provide for the online sale of the product, but Loterj had the approval of the State Attorney General for the exceptionality.
In action with the TCE-RJ, Hebara Distribuidora de Produtos Lottery pointed out alleged irregularities committed by Loterj. The Court of Auditors accepted the request to suspend the sale of tickets online, but understood the arguments presented by Loterj and determined that the online sale be suspended as soon as the reasons provided for in state decrees 46.984/20 and 47.246/20 expire, that defined the state of public calamity in the state as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition, the TCE-RJ notified the former president of Loterj, Kelly Mattos, to comment on irregularities in the current contract, which no longer requires experience in lottery services but only in lottery products - Múltiplas Chances, as well as the fact that tickets are being sold online as savings bonds.
The 2020 bid banned online gambling, but not online marketing of the product. This distinction is critical as the wholesale contract never offered online gambling.
Thus, the ECA's decision determines that:
"In view of the foregoing, we believe that it is necessary to issue DETERMINATION to Loterj, in the sense that it refrains from continuing the online marketing of the respective products, after the reasons provided for in the State Decree (Nos. 46.984/20 and 47.246/ 20)” (Process TCE nº 100.757-4/20).”
Such decrees are in force until December of this year and, therefore, Loterj is not in disagreement with the TCE.
Therefore, the company will be able to continue selling its tickets until the period of public calamity determined by decrees 46.984/20 and nº 47.246/20 ceases. After that, Loterj will be prohibited from selling its tickets online and will have to promote a new bidding for this purpose.
Source: GMB
