The authorization is provided for in Executive Bill No. 1,081/2024, which amends Law No. 7,155/2022, which created the DF Lottery. According to the approved text, BRB is “authorized to create a subsidiary to carry out the operational activities inherent to the exploitation of lottery and similar games, including electronic games through physical and digital means”.
Law 7,155 covers types of games such as instant lottery and numerical and sports predictions. Minors under 18 will not be able to place bets. According to the rule, the Public Lottery Service of the Federal District prohibits the exploitation of all types of bingo games, casinos and other games of fortune, except the lottery.
A year ago, BRB announced the formation of a joint venture with Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Lisboa to explore the lottery gaming business in the Federal District. The joint operation would be shared through a company to be controlled by BRB.
Six months later, Santa Casa canceled the partnership with Banco de Brasília to explore and operate games and lotteries in the Federal District. The decision was taken following the external audit that was being carried out at Santa Casa Global (SCG).
The company was created three years ago to carry out the internationalization project of Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa and discovered that, in Brazil, the institution has a complex network of more than a dozen companies and partners.
The Court of Auditors of the Federal District ordered the suspension of the business and asked Banco de Brasília for clarification after the signing of the contract between the public bank of Brasília and Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Lisboa, which created Santa Casa Global to expand its operations in the international gaming and lottery market.
As the process dragged on, lawyers for Santa Casa's new administration saw a window of opportunity to cancel the partnership with the bank at no cost, given that, if it were to materialize, more than 14 million euros would have to be invested.
With approval by the Economy, Budget and Finance Committee of the Legislative Chamber of the Federal District, the matter still depends on discussions in the Constitution and Justice and Economic Development committees. Only after this will it be submitted to the Plenary.
Source: GMB
