Created in 1843 by Bento Gonçalves, Lotergs was suspended in 2004, under the Germano Rigotto (MDB) government. Officially, it was reactivated in October 2021, by decree of the then governor Eduardo Leite (PSDB), but has not yet returned to operation. A study commissioned last year projected net revenue of R$3 billion (US$ 575m) over 20 years for the state coffers.
The expectation of the lottery's return grew from 2020, when the Federal Supreme Court (STF) judged two actions that recognized the right of States to exploit lotteries and similar games, removing the Union's monopoly.
From the decision, some municipalities also decided to create their own gaming system. This is the case in Porto Alegre, where, last month, Mayor Sebastião Melo sanctioned a law authorizing the municipality to create the public lottery service. The revenue obtained from the bets, promises the mayor, will be used to improve public transport.
The possibility of reactivating Lotergs is the subject of the sixth article in the ‘Vida Real’ series, in which Piratini applicants were invited to respond, in a succinct manner, on issues that directly impact the daily lives of the ‘gauchos’. Previously, they also took a position on road concessions, transfer of funds to hospitals, privatization of Banrisul, tax recovery regime and authorization for the sale of alcoholic beverages in stadiums.
The question posed to the eight gubernatorial candidates was as follows: “Are you in favor of resuming the Rio Grande do Sul State Lottery (Lotergs) or other state games of chance?”
Below each answer in alphabetical order:
ARGENT (PSC)
No. I would have to analyze it better. I'm not absolutely convinced that we need to have a lottery. We have to apply the State's resources well so that the people have the necessary benefits.
EDEGAR PRETTO (EN)
No. I think we have other mechanisms to develop Rio Grande do Sul, boost revenue and be able to take better care of the most vulnerable people.
EDUARDO LEITE (PSDB)
Yes. Within what the law allows, I think it is a way to make resources available for a series of public policies. And it is related to a demand from society.
LUIS CARLOS HEINZE (PP)
Yes. Today 40% of the funds that Apaes receive in RS comes from the Tri Legal (capitalization bond). I worked to legalize this process three years ago. Yes, we can review this issue of gambling.
ONYX LORENZONI (PL)
Yes. You need to look into this, because today there is a monopoly of the Caixa Federal on this situation. But it can be a good alternative, yes, we need to study.
RICARDO JOBIM (NEW)
No. By our principles, we don't think the State should have a lottery. But we also have budgetary impacts from all this. We need to study budget.
VICENTE BOGO (PSB)
Yes. In general, I am not in favor of exploiting games of chance. But in Brazil, the lotteries are all with the federal government. We can think of a state lottery to allocate resources to social areas.
VIEIRA DA CUNHA (PDT)
No. In principle, I'm against it, because I have a lot of difficulty accepting that this gambling underworld ends up playing the cards in Rio Grande do Sul.
About ‘Vida Real’
To help voters know the position of candidates for the government of Rio Grande do Sul on some of the most relevant issues of this election, the report by Rádio Gaúcha, Zero Hora and GZH carries out the series ‘Vida Real’. In it, the candidates for Palácio Piratini were invited to respond, in a succinct manner, about issues that directly impact the daily lives of the ‘gauchos’.
The eight candidates whose parties are represented in the National Congress were invited to participate, the same rule adopted for participation in electoral debates.
Source: GZH
