Simone Vicentini participates in hearing on possible transfer of Caixa lotteries to a subsidiary

The Committee on Administration and Public Service (Casp) of the Chamber of Deputies will discuss this Wednesday, April 3rd, the possible transfer of federal lotteries to a subsidiary of Caixa Econômica Federal.

The Union pressure for the debate has been led in the House by deputies Erika Kokay and Tadeu Veneri, who point out the risk of privatizing the lotteries if they are transferred to Loterias CAIXA.

Simone Aparecida Vicentini, the deputy secretary of the Prizes and Betting Secretariat of the Ministry of Finance, will participate virtually in the hearing and is expected to clarify points that have been discussed regarding the regulation of sports betting and online gaming.

Also confirmed to be present virtually are:

• Juvandia Moreira Leite, president of the National Confederation of Financial Sector Workers of CUT.
   
• Journalist Luís Nassif.

Present in person will be:

• Sérgio Takemoto, president of the National Federation of CEF Employee Associations (Fenae).
   
• Fabiana Uehara, coordinator of the Executive Committee of CEF Employees.
   
• Ricardo Amado Costa, VP of the Brazilian Federation of Lottery Companies (Febralot).
   
• Antônio Simoneto, president of the Union of Lottery Companies, Commissioners, and Consignees of the Federal District and Surroundings.

Union pressure on Caixa Econômica Federal has been reinforced in recent days by a series of reports warning the government about the "danger" of depleting the fund that allocates part of the lottery revenue to social actions.

The Caixa Board of Directors itself scheduled a meeting to discuss the transfer, but due to pressure from union entities, postponed the debate.

By proposing the hearing, Erika Kokay and Tadeu Veneri question the motivation, legality, socioeconomic impact of the measure, and potential reduction of funds allocated to social actions if the transfer occurs and Loterias CAIXA is privatized.

The request from both was approved at the last Casp meeting on March 26th, and the Committee scheduled the hearing for this Wednesday, April 3rd, at 2 p.m. In the justification for holding the public hearing, Kokay and Veneri express concern about the transfer and possible privatization of Loterias CAIXA.

"We know that Caixa's lotteries have been fundamental in reducing social inequalities in the country, through the transfer of resources to social policies. Approximately 40% of the profit from Caixa Loterias is for investments in health, education, and social projects. According to data released by the bank, in 2023 out of the R$ 23.4 billion raised in Lotteries, R$ 9.2 billion went to social allocation."

In the request, the deputies recall that during the government of Michel Temer, it was decided to privatize Lotex and that Caixa was not authorized to participate in the auction, which was won by the Estrela da Sorte Consortium (IGT and Scientific Games).

"After a few years and without performing the service, the consortium gave up the operation. As a result, the government went 7 years without raising funds from instant lotteries," they highlight.

Still in the justification, Kokay and Veneri accuse Rita Serrano's management at Caixa of leaving Loterias CAIXA non-operational with the aim of ending the company's activities, "which did not manage any type of service, only bringing costs to the parent company for years due to the payment of salaries to directors and employees."

The deputies emphasize that "the lotteries belong to the State, and Caixa is only the manager." And they argue that "the current law establishes the exclusivity of lottery management by Caixa," questioning whether "to change the management to another CNPJ, would it not be necessary to change the law?"

Source: GMB