GMB – As a profound connoisseur of the lottery market, when did the sector begin to move towards the sports betting segment? We have the example of Paraíba, Loterj, which already has a company operating and another homologated, as well as Minas Gerais, which has already launched the operation.
Amilton Noble – It is a great pleasure for someone who works in this sector like me, for almost 30 years, to see this moment. The evolution of state and segment lotteries. The BiS SiGMA effectively crowns a process for which we have fought so hard. When we see the segment growing as a whole and an event like this, with international exhibitors and the industry looking at Brazil in a different way, it is very rewarding.
Hebara has participated in discussions in virtually every opportunity in which it makes itself available to listen to market players. What comes ahead as a novelty from Hebara?
As a player that operates in the state lottery market for 30 years and being a reference in this segment, Hebara cannot fail to participate and collaborate with this process, being in all public hearings and biddings. We welcome this moment of maturation of the state lotteries, obviously linked to the regulation of the fixed-quota lottery. We are excited and opportunities are arising and we are watching them. That is our role.
Before, Brazil was seen as the country of the federal lottery and today we are in a new moment. Is this still going to change much?
The maturation of the market undergoes a reformulation. After the decision of the STF referendum on the position of states being able to operate their lotteries, this moment will certainly continue. We see the Federal District, Minas Gerais, Rio Grande do Sul and others. We see a very consistent movement. There are some procedural problems, but we are in an evolution process and this will make the market different.
So are the states on the right path and trying to take the right steps?
They're in the way. Whether it's right, time will tell. At least they chose their path and it's better to choose a path than to be inert. The first steps have been taken, and some operations are already there and have all the conditions to be consistent. With all states taking their steps, we will have a new model of operations in Brazil from now on.
How do you evaluate the federal regulation of sports betting, with part of the government wanting to regulate the activity, thinking about revenue, and part wanting to wait for results from the CPI?
This regulation is like the cod's head, everyone knows it exists, but no one can see it. I am very optimistic, but I say that we are very late, as this should have been resolved more than four years ago. Like any legislative process, it takes a rite. Whether it will be by provisional measure or Bill – or even in a hybrid model, with both alternatives – is being discussed, so we are very close to regulation. With this, we will have legal security and the capacity for large investments to be made in Brazil, generating jobs and income for Brazilians. We are on a good path.
Source: Exclusive GMB
