The President of Loterj, Hazenclever Lopes Cançado, has called for a nationwide task force to combat organized crime and financial crimes linked to illegal betting operations in Brazil.
Speaking during the recording of EsferaCast, Cançado said coordinated action between states and federal bodies is urgently needed to dismantle the thousands of irregular betting houses operating across the country.
“We need to unite the states and federal institutions such as the Federal Revenue Service, the Federal Police, Brazil’s Financial Activities Control Council and the Central Bank to create a task force to combat illegal betting houses,” he said.
According to Cançado, unregulated operators act as an entry point for criminal organizations, including militias, drug trafficking networks and money laundering schemes.
He compared the proposed initiative to recent joint enforcement efforts in sectors such as fuel distribution and financial services, arguing that similar cooperation could significantly weaken criminal activity embedded in the illegal gambling market.
At the same time, the Loterj President renewed his defense of legalizing casinos, bingos and other forms of gambling currently operating in legal gray areas.
“We need to bring into the light all games that continue to function in obscurity and clandestinity,” he said, stressing that regulation would allow authorities to monitor flows of money and enforce compliance more effectively.
Cançado also highlighted the importance of accelerating the rollout of videolottery terminals (VLTs) in Rio de Janeiro.
He argued that expanding regulated gaming infrastructure could increase economic activity in the state, generating spillover benefits for tourism, hospitality and technology suppliers connected to the betting industry.
Recent initiatives have seen the state lottery expand its social investments, with funding directed toward education, childcare and community programs.
This approach, Cançado has argued, reinforces the case for regulation by ensuring betting revenues are transparently reinvested in public-interest projects, including sports-backed social inclusion initiatives across the state.
Loterj recently advanced a VLT proof-of-concept in Rio
