Alexandre Padilha: Project to create Caixa’s own betting platform was “speculation”

Padilha also stated that betting activity can lead to compulsive behavior and the destruction of families, and that this was a message directed at the president of the state-owned bank.

“I’m even going to call the president of Caixa. I’m not aware of any concrete project by Caixa to launch something like this,” Brazil’s Minister of Health Alexandre Padilha said. “The only thing I have to say, not just to Caixa, but to any betting operator: you exist, and it is a regulated activity. Know that your activity and your conduct can lead to people’s compulsions, the destruction of families, and serious health problems […] At least be responsible in what you do.”

Despite the minister’s statement, Poder360 showed that Caixa Loterias S.A. obtained authorization from the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA) in July to operate fixed-odds betting in Brazil, just like other betting platforms. The authorization was formalized through SPA/MF Ordinance No. 1,665, published in the Official Gazette of the Union.

The authorization was signed by the Secretary of Prizes and Betting, Regis Dudena, who was standing beside Padilha during the minister’s remarks. He authorized the brands BetCaixa, Megabet, and XBet Caixa.

In an interview with Poder360, published on September 30 of last year, Caixa president Carlos Vieira said that all actions of the state-owned bank are aligned with the government of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT).

Previously, in March 2024, he had said that Caixa expected to generate R$ 18 billion (US$3.4bn) in two years by entering the sports betting and online gaming market.

Source: Poder360