After more than three years of analysis, public hearing and bidding, the operation of Lototins, the Loteria Estadual, begins in Palmas. The fight for states to have the right to operate their own lotteries led the Supreme Federal Court to rule on the legality of these operations in September 2020.
With the concession, the State will have a share in the lottery's operating profits, and the resources generated will be directed to social projects, with a focus on sports incentive actions. The Lototins consortium, which won the bid, committed to paying a fixed concession fee of over R$15 million (US$2.6m). The contract has a duration of 20 years and, at the end of this period, the lottery units will belong to the public assets of the State.
“It is an honor to be able to collaborate with Tocantins in the management of its lottery. Our goal is to transform this project into a successful model for all of Brazil, standing out for its innovation, profitability and the social contribution generated, benefiting the citizens of Tocantins,” stated Eduardo Paiva, leader of the consortium.
The concession covers all six modalities provided for in federal legislation, including authorization to operate fixed-odds betting, allowing the consortium to also operate the long-awaited virtual online gaming events in the state.
This moment was only possible thanks to a group of dedicated professionals who worked hard to make it a reality, including Eduardo Paiva, from Lototins.
In addition, the work of Governor Vanderlei Barbosa and Secretaries Donizete Aparecido (Finance) and Thomas Jeferson (Partnerships) stands out, as they conducted the process with transparency and complied with all the formalities required for such grants.
The expectation is that the 26 states and the Federal District will also establish their own lotteries, generating resources, revenue and jobs for their citizens.
Lottery expected to generate R$ 600 million (US$ 105m) in revenue
The State Lottery is projected to generate over R$ 600 million in gross revenue from its operations, with an expected creation of 1,500 direct and indirect jobs over the first five years.
“The Tocantins lottery will create job opportunities in municipalities and bring significant dividends to the State Management. Additionally, part of the revenue can be allocated to promote sports and other essential areas. This represents two important fronts of economic growth for Tocantins,” stated Governor Wanderlei Barbosa.
Lototins ('Loteria da Sorte') is the first state lottery in Tocantins and will encompass all municipalities of the state, playing a crucial role in regulating betting, combating illegal activities, and promoting responsible gaming.
In addition to generating jobs and increasing revenue without raising taxes, the initiative will strengthen the local economy, boosting businesses related to lottery services. The funds raised will be directed to finance social projects in areas like sports, health, and inclusion, while retaining and stimulating investments in sports betting within the state.
Lototins is already in the implementation phase, with authorization for lottery services signed by Governor Wanderlei Barbosa. The Lototins Consortium was the winning bidder and will be responsible for operating the project, distributing lottery outlets in shopping centers, commercial centers, and other strategic locations throughout Tocantins cities. Besides in-person modalities, the lottery will also offer an online option, allowing bettors to participate directly from their homes.
Betting Categories
The Tocantins lottery offers four types of bets. The fixed-odds category includes sports betting and online games, where the prize is determined at the time of the bet and does not depend on the number of winners.
The instant win category operates like scratch cards, where the player knows immediately if they have won. The numerical prediction category is the most traditional, like Mega-Sena, where players choose numbers and win if they match the drawn numbers. Lastly, the passive category involves pre-numbered tickets, like the Federal Lottery, where the player buys a ticket with a predefined number and competes for the prize if it is drawn.
Thomas Jefferson, the Secretary of Partnerships and Investments (SPI/TO), highlighted the transformative impact of the concession, noting that in the initial phase of Lototins' implementation, more than R$ 27 million (US$4.8) in investments will flow into Tocantins, with the lottery projected to generate over R$ 600 million (US$ 105m) in revenue over the first five years.
“The State Lottery represents an innovative financing mechanism for social programs, ensuring sustainable, long-term investments for the development of our state,” explained the secretary.
Tocantins Parcerias, as the operational arm of the Government of Tocantins, played a key role in structuring this project, as explained by Aleandro Lacerda, President of Tocantins Parcerias.
“The State Lottery of Tocantins is a significant milestone for the economic and social development of our state. By structuring this project, we aimed not only to stimulate the local economy and create jobs, but also to ensure that part of the funds are allocated to social projects benefiting the citizens. Our focus is to contribute to the sustainable growth of the state, always responsibly, and aligned with Governor Wanderlei Barbosa’s commitment to strategic projects that drive the progress of Tocantins,” emphasized the president.
Donizeth Silva, the Secretary of State for Finance, pointed out that the State Secretariat of Finance (Sefaz) will monitor the lottery activities through a control and transparency system. “The establishment of the lottery in the state has the potential to generate revenues that will benefit society, particularly in the social sectors, and it is an activity regulated throughout the country,” he emphasized.
Role of the Lototins Consortium
The Lototins Consortium will operate the State Lottery for the next 20 years. Eduardo Paiva, CEO of the Consortium, noted that the team from the involved secretaries worked diligently to ensure the project’s execution is done properly.
“We are honored to have the privilege of contributing to the Government of Tocantins in the implementation of this project. We will ensure that this lottery serves as an excellent example of revenue generation for all of Brazil, whether in operations, technology, and most importantly, profitability, so that the State Management can maximize investments in social areas through the benefits of this service, for the well-being of the Tocantins people,” commented Eduardo Paiva.
“It is important to highlight that this project’s goal goes beyond revenue generation. We are committed to being an alternative in the fight against gambling addiction, promoting responsible and healthy gaming. This partnership with the private sector is essential to expand the availability of quality services to the public, ensuring that the generated resources are applied efficiently and transparently. It is a project that will bring direct benefits to thousands of Tocantins residents, promoting social and economic advances with responsibility and care for the population’s well-being,” concluded Secretary of Partnerships and Investments, Thomas Jefferson.
The official ceremony took place this Tuesday (18), in the Meeting Room of the Araguaia Palace, in Palmas.
Source: GMB
