"LOTEX and Fixed-odds betting will have positive impact on employment and income"

GMB - How did you get invited to be one of the speakers at Juegos Miami Games event? Mansueto Almeida – I was invited by organizer Clarion, given the competence of the Secretariat of Economic Monitoring of the Ministry of Finance (SEAE / MF) to regulate lotteries in Brazil. Our expectation was to share the reality of Brazilian lotteries with the other participants, as well as to absorb experiences of regulation and exploration in other lottery markets around the world.

The theme of your talk at the event was the charitable origin of gaming, when the resources coming from the activity are returned to society. What Brazilian experiences on the subject were mentioned at Juegos Miami?
I focused on new sources of social resources, from LOTEX ("Instant Games") and Fixed-odds betting. These two initiatives will complete the modalities of lotteries that can be marketed in the Brazilian lottery segment, as can be seen in the global lottery market. I am convinced that the implementation of these two modalities in Brazil will bring significant revenue to the Federal Government.

One of SEAE's main work is the process of privatizing the Exclusive Instant Lottery ( LOTEX). What steps are still missing for the completion of the project and what impact will privatization have on lotteries in the country?
The privatization of LOTEX, conducted by the BNDES, under the coordination and monitoring of the Ministry of Finance, through the SEAE, is within the expected timetable. The economic-financial evaluation and the definition of the concession model are in the final stages, which should be completed by the end of June 2017. After this, there should be a public notice, public consultation and road -show, preceding the auction, which should occur by November this year. With the privatization of LOTEX, a positive impact is expected in the modernization and innovation of the Brazilian lottery market, with employment and income generation.

Still on lotteries, SEAE received the lottery sector (retailers) in March and promised to help fight illegal activity. What measures have been taken? What is the relationship between the secretary and the lottery sector? Does SEAE support your claims?
SEAE recognizes the importance of the lottery sector as a physical channel for the sale of lotteries in Brazil. The issue of illegal lottery was treated as a matter that should be attacked by the whole society, since in the illegality is the bettor who is exposed to all the harmful and undesirable effects that gambling can entail. In this way, all efforts are being made to avoid the exploitation of lotteries in the country outside the current legal framework.

Fixed-odds betting was also a theme worked out by SEAE. What assessments were made by the secretariat? Is it a sector that can bring a lot to the country?
Fixed-odds betting was something quite studied by the Ministry of Finance, considering the existing potential market and the illegal operation that moves billions, from bets originating in Brazilian territory on electronic channels hosted in other countries. In this line, the Executive has drafted a bill that should be forwarded to the National Congress later this year.

How has SEAE seen the process of legalizing gaming in Brazil? What is the secretary's position on the impact that market regulation would bring on the economy with tax collection, job creation and the arrival of foreign investors?
Today, there is no position of the Executive branch on bills related to gambling that go through the legislative branch. Regarding new games, my focus on SEAE continues to be to implement the two lottery modalities that, at present, are not operationalized in Brazil.

This month of May, you complete one year heading SEAE. What is your evaluation of the work done during this period in the secretariat?
SEAE, during this period, has been working continuously with the objective of improving the transparency of federal lotteries for Brazilian society. This can be seen through the expansion of the analysis and dissemination of the numbers that this sector moves in Brazil, in the constant training of the technical staff and in the search for the alignment of the regulatory practices with the best international practices. I would also like to highlight the publication of the bidding for the 2017 Seae Lottery Award, focused on the areas of regulation and corporate social responsibility.

Source: GMB