The installation of the first electronic terminals of Lototins – the State Lottery of Tocantins – at a gas station in downtown Palmas marks a new phase in the expansion of betting games in the state. Additionally, the introduction of machines with instant games and electronic betting is also planned for other high-traffic establishments, such as pharmacies, bars, and snack shops in the capital.
Lototins machines were presented to the public at a stand set up at Agrotins 2025 and attracted a lot of attention.
The project, supported by the Government of Tocantins, aims to increase public revenue to fund areas such as healthcare, social assistance, sports, and culture. Lototins is expected to be present in all 139 municipalities of Tocantins, with planned expansion into shopping centers and commercial areas. The project is estimated to generate over R$ 600 million (US$105m) in revenue over five years and create around 1,500 direct and indirect jobs.
“The Tocantins lottery will create job opportunities in the municipalities and bring important dividends to the state administration,” said Governor Wanderlei Barbosa during the project's launch event at the Palácio Araguaia in February of this year.
Responsible gaming
Amid ongoing debate about gambling and its social impacts, Lototins advocates for the concept of "responsible gaming" and promises to provide guidance to prevent compulsive behavior.
Federal Deputy Ricardo Ayres, from Tocantins, has taken a critical stance on the growing betting industry. On his social media, he warned:
“It’s a highly addictive product, disguised as fun and easy enrichment. We can no longer turn a blind eye.”
On the other hand, Senator Irajá, rapporteur of Bill 2,234/2022, supports the broad regulation of gambling in Brazil, including bingo and casinos. He sees the sector as an opportunity to boost tourism and increase tax revenue in a structured and supervised manner.
Lototins
Lototins – Loteria da Sorte – is Tocantins' first state lottery. It is operated by the Lototins Consortium. The expectation is that in five years, gross revenue will surpass R$ 600 million, with up to 1,500 direct and indirect jobs created.
The company will operate in four modalities: fixed odds (sports and online betting), instant (scratch cards), numerical prognostics (like Mega-Sena), and passive (pre-numbered tickets). There will also be a digital platform for online participation.
According to the state government, part of the collected funds will be invested in social projects in health, sports, technology, and social assistance, including support for APAEs. Lototins also promises initiatives to combat illegal gambling and promote responsible gaming practices, including psychological support and guidance.
Security guidelines
Operational security is considered a top priority. In a meeting with the Secretaries of Public Security (SSP) and Partnerships and Investments (SPI), protocols were established to ensure the safe and transparent operation of the lottery.
SSP Secretary Bruno Azevedo emphasized that the goal is to ensure that terminals operate without posing risks to the population. SPI Secretary Thomas Jefferson stated that Lototins follows strict oversight regulations, with automated controls to ensure the proper use of collected funds.
The company
Lototins is a Special Purpose Entity (SPE) headquartered in Palmas and has Alexandre Vieira dos Santos and Eduardo Port Paiva as partners/directors. The company’s tax ID (CNPJ: 55.500.850/0001-40) has been active since June 2024, and its main activity is the operation of gambling and betting games. The company won the state tender and will operate the lottery for the next 20 years, with both physical and digital operations.
The consortium estimates an initial investment of R$ 27 million (US$4.8m). The operation will cover the four main betting modalities allowed by law.
Physical expansion amid a turbulent digital landscape
The expansion of Lototins takes place amid growing national concern about the impact of online betting on Brazilian families. Since October 2024, the Senate has maintained the “CPI das Bets” – a Parliamentary Inquiry Commission investigating the country's betting market. The commission aims to analyze the economic, social, and legal effects of these platforms and investigate possible irregularities such as money laundering and the role of digital influencers in promoting these activities.
A Central Bank report released at the end of 2024 revealed that Brazilians spent, on average, R$ 20.1 billion (US$3.55bn) per month on betting. In August of that year, about 5 million Bolsa Família beneficiaries transferred R$ 3 billion (US$531m) to betting platforms via Pix. Of that total, 4 million (70%) were the benefit holders themselves, who alone transferred R$ 2 billion (US$354m) - 67%- to the platforms.
According to the study Political Outlook 2024: Sports Betting, Digital Scams, and Debt by DataSenado, more than 170,000 residents of Tocantins placed some form of online bet in the past year. The state ranks among the top four with the highest percentage of bettors, alongside Maranhão, Sergipe, and Bahia.
Outlook
With the rapid implementation of terminals in Palmas, Lototins aims to democratize access to games and diversify the state's revenue sources. However, the initiative places Tocantins at the heart of a national debate: how to balance public revenue generation with social responsibility?
While national regulation remains under discussion in Congress, Tocantins' experience will be closely watched by both supporters and critics of gambling legalization in Brazil. The big question remains: can the state protect its most vulnerable citizens from the risks of addiction while fostering a new source of revenue?
Source: GMB
