GMB - You were recently nominated for the presidency of CAIXA Loterias. After your departure from SEAE, do you feel that this is a recognition of your technical competence and trajectory?Waldir Eustaquio Marques Jr. - It is difficult to talk about this perspective, but what I can say is that this professional opportunity at CAIXA has been an honor, allowing me to continue contributing to the national lottery sector with the same north that I have pursued throughout my professional career : the public spirit, duty to the country and serving this sector that continually makes me act enthusiastically and in search of achieving the countless opportunities that are envisioned, considering the existing potential in Brazil.
What are your main plans ahead of the CAIXA Loterias business? Does the area need a modernization process?
I would like to point out that I joined the wholly-owned subsidiary, CAIXA Loterias S.A., where, as CEO, I seek to add my experience to the work that I found already planned and structured for the modernization of lottery, gaming and betting operations.
But this is a joint effort, which permeates the company's various executive bodies, ranging from the Vice-Presidency of the Operating Agent, which today holds the mandate for managing federal lotteries, to the Vice-Presidency of the Network, which operates in management of our network of lottery units, and extends to several other CAIXA units that, together, act in an integrated manner to sustain the lottery business with credibility and relevance within the business of this public company, as has been done for over 60 years.
Few people like you know and have so much connection with international companies, the lottery market and gambling in general. Is it time for CAIXA to open up to them and invite them to new businesses or services?
Undeniably, while I have worked in the regulation of lotteries in recent years, I have always sought to be in line with the best international practices, modernization actions and successful initiatives in the major world lottery markets. In this sense, what I can share right now is that I will continue with initiatives of this nature on my strategic radar so that I can positively contribute to everything that is already being planned and structured for the lotteries business at CAIXA.
The STF ended Caixa Economica Federal's (CEF) monopoly on lottery operations last year. Since then, states and even municipalities have started to design their businesses with local modalities. When these local lotteries are implemented, do you believe that CAIXA's collection will drop and do you intend to avoid these unwanted effects for your business?
On this point, it is necessary to make a clarification: the aforementioned “monopoly” of CAIXA in relation to lotteries concerns the exclusivity of the operation of federal lotteries, throughout the national territory, as provided for in current legislation. In this way, even with the terms of Decree-Law 204/1967, the operation of federal lotteries has always coexisted with the “competition” of lotteries in some states, with significant and effective experiences of commercialization of various lottery products, as is currently seen in the Lotteries in Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro, for example, and in the not so distant past, in the Lotteries of São Paulo and Rio Grande do Sul.
Regardless of the future scenario, my personal view is that as state operations are expanded, the competitive scenario will undoubtedly bring new challenges to CAIXA, but we are prepared and ready to act in this new competitive arena.
So far in practice little has changed, as existing state lotteries have yet to launch new products and states seeking to implement local operations have yet to finalize processes. What's happening?
There is no opinion that we can issue on this point, since the autonomy to structure and implement state operations is at the discretion of state governments.
What to expect from regulated sports betting and how is CAIXA Loterias preparing for this new reality? A few days ago you had a conversation with your team about sports betting. Will the company operate the activity once regulated?
It is undeniable that Fixed Quota Betting, as a lottery and public service of the Union, which establishes a direct correlation with federal lotteries, is an opportunity for our company to operate.
However, it is premature to anticipate any movement or more effective action by CAIXA in these lotteries, since the modality created by Law No. 13,756/2018 still lacks regulation. Therefore, we can only wait for the unfolding of this regulation so that we can evaluate or issue any position regarding CAIXA's performance in this new lottery business.
How does CAIXA Loterias see the possible approval of bill 442/1991 that legalizes all gambling in the country? With such a wide opening of the activity in Brazil, which also includes the jogo do bicho, how do you imagine this will affect the business of CAIXA Loterias?
It is not up to us to make any statement on the matters that are being discussed in the National Congress, even more so on this topic that, by its nature, has in the Legislative Houses the legitimate arena for discussion and deliberation on this topic.
Source: Exclusive GMB
