Brazil: Loterj President highlights VLT regulation at UN Tourism event

Hazenclever Lopes Cançado pointed to the economic and tourism potential of video lottery terminals in Rio de Janeiro

Hazenclever Lopes Cançado, President of the Rio de Janeiro state lottery, Loterj, took part in the UN Tourism Forum this week in São Paulo. 

The event, which was attended by international authorities and business leaders, focused on innovation, financing mechanisms and regional integration as tools to boost tourism.

His intervention underscored the potential of video lottery terminals (VLTs), recently regulated by Loterj, to reshape Rio’s entertainment and tourism offering.

According to Loterj, VLTs will go beyond gambling terminals, combining gastronomy, sports broadcasts and interactive technologies in Sport Bar concepts aimed at extending tourist stays and stimulating local consumption. 

All transactions will be processed exclusively via Pix, Brazil’s instant-payment system developed by the Central Bank, replicating a model first adopted in sports betting regulation to strengthen oversight, reduce fraud risk and ensure transparency.

Good to know: A significant portion of Loterj revenues is set for social programmes in education, health, culture, sports and assistance for vulnerable communities

Hazenclever emphasized that economic growth will be matched with social reinvestment.

The President positioned the initiative as part of a broader strategy to consolidate Rio de Janeiro as a leading tourism hub. 

State figures show tourism already represents around 4% of the local GDP, with a 28% rise in international visitors in 2024.

Carlos Mendez

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