According to Lottopar (Paraná State Lottery), the funds are allocated to areas such as public safety and housing. In Curitiba, five Lottopar-owned units are in operation.
Rio de Janeiro has adopted a similar measure: last Wednesday (20), a decree authorized the installation of electronic betting machines in bars and other commercial establishments throughout the state.
Payments are made exclusively via Pix, while monitoring occurs in real time. In Paraná, betting houses operate with legalized Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs), overseen by Lottopar.
Accelerated expansion
Rio de Janeiro is following Paraná’s lead. In the Fluminense state, a recent decree authorized the installation of electronic betting machines in bars and commercial establishments, with payments exclusively via Pix and real-time monitoring. Paraná betting houses offer legalized VLTs regulated by Lottopar.
According to Apostou’s financial sector, the goal is to open 80 new betting houses in Paraná by the end of the year. Although the rule requires an ID for entry, access was unrestricted this Wednesday.
In addition to betting, there is also a strategy to retain customers: colonial-style breakfasts on Wednesdays, pizza on Fridays, soups on Thursdays, and even hot chocolate on weekends. Alcohol consumption is minimal, with only one beer brand in the display fridge and a 300 ml pilsner draft offered at R$ 5 (US$0.90)
Difference from slot machines
Lottopar emphasizes that VLTs differ from traditional slot machines: they are legalized, audited by international laboratories, and operate with a database of electronic tickets, ensuring transparency. In contrast, illegal machines can be manipulated and provide no guarantees to players.
“However, there are legal restrictions: sales are prohibited in pharmacies, and under Lottopar regulations, games cannot be offered within 100 meters of schools. Concessionaires must prevent access to machines by individuals under 18. Lottopar’s management platform and payment system block Pix payments made by minors,” Lottopar stated in a note.
Despite this, the visual similarity and the fast-paced gameplay with instant rewards raise concerns among experts about the risk of gambling addiction.
When asked about the social impact of these machines, especially regarding gambling addiction, the authority stated that gambling has always existed in Brazil, either regulated by Caixa Econômica Federal or illegally, the latter being dangerous and funding crime.
“Lottopar acts to ensure people see betting as safe entertainment, migrating them from the illegal market to a regulated and supervised environment,” the note added.
According to O Globo, the Paraná Public Ministry reported that, so far, there are no ongoing investigations into Lottopar or the video lottery machines. However, it stated that if consumer protection issues arise, measures could be taken, including requests for information and investigation of possible irregularities.
Source: O Globo
