Brazil’s Federal Court of Accounts (TCU) has intensified scrutiny of Caixa Econômica Federal’s entry into the fixed-odds betting market, questioning delays in the launch of its state-backed platform despite regulatory approval already being granted.
Caixa Loterias secured definitive authorization in July 2025 from the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA) and paid the required BR30m licence fee under Law 14.790/2023. However, the operation, expected to run under brands including BetCaixa, MegaBet and Xbet Caixa, has yet to go live.
In a decision issued on 27 March, Minister Jhonatan de Jesus pointed to potential inefficiencies in the use of public resources, noting that the licence validity period is already running without any commercial activity.
The Brazilian Federation of Lottery Companies (Febralot), which has been admitted as an interested party in the case, estimates that the delay could result in losses of approximately BR6m per year over the five-year licence period.
The TCU is now requesting detailed explanations from Caixa, including a revised launch timeline and justification for the delay. It has also asked the operator to outline its approach to compliance, anti-money laundering controls, operational security and responsible gambling measures.
Industry stakeholders have suggested that Caixa’s entry could play a balancing role, particularly given its nationwide distribution network and established presence in the lottery sector.
Still, last year, the project was delayed due to political reasons, as it was suspended by Brazil’s President.
The TCU has given Caixa five working days to present initial justifications, followed by a 15-day deadline to submit a full operational plan and supporting documentation.
Febralot has warned that the postponement may also weaken the role of physical lottery outlets, which could otherwise benefit from integration into the betting ecosystem
