The Brazilian Las Vegas? Loterj President unveils grand designs

The project seeks to position Rio de Janeiro as a national hub for gambling activity.

The Government of Rio de Janeiro has unveiled an ambitious project that could transform the state into a national gambling hub. 

Branded informally as the “Las Vegas Plan,” the initiative focuses on the expansion of video lottery terminals (VLTs) in the city, with a target of 200,000 machines installed across popular venues such as the Hotel Nacional and the Jockey Club.

The plan follows a decree signed by Governor Cláudio Castro. That legislation allows states to issue local licenses for ‘phygital’ operations, based on a Supreme Court ruling. 

Under current rules, operators must restrict activity to the jurisdiction granting the license.

Supporters, including Loterj President Hazenclever Cançado, argue that the measure could generate up to 65,000 jobs and significantly boost state revenues. 

He argues that, currently, gambling contributes around BR30m ($5.6m) annually to Rio’s budget, a figure considered small given the state’s tourist profile. 

Castro stated the regulation “will bring security for bettors,” while reinforcing that gambling is a recognized economic activity in many countries.

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However, the initiative has met resistance: Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes moved quickly to block municipal licences, arguing that the state decree lacks sufficient controls. 

“If we are to build a Las Vegas, it must come with proper casino legislation,” he said.

While proponents frame this as a migration from unregulated to regulated markets, opponents argue that only robust oversight will prevent the initiative from repeating past mistakes.

Carlos Mendez

Writer

Odds tell a story long before the result does. When bettors learn to read that story properly, betting becomes a matter of discipline and value rather than emotion or guesswork.

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