Brazil’s regulator, the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA), has authorized the creation of a second annual themed draw for Mega-Sena, expanding the structure of one of the country’s most popular lottery products.
The change was formalized through Ordinance No. 1,029, signed by acting Secretary Daniele Corrêa Cardoso and published in the Official Gazette.
The update modifies existing lottery regulations to allow operators to run an additional special draw tied to a commemorative date of their choice, alongside the already established New Year edition.
Mega-Sena is the country’s flagship lottery, operated by Caixa. Players select numbers and can win large jackpots, with draws held multiple times per week. Its most famous edition is the “Mega da Virada,” a New Year’s Eve draw known for record-breaking prizes and the rule that winnings do not roll over, meaning the jackpot must be paid out.
Under the new framework, this non-accumulating model can now be extended to another themed draw each year, although all existing rules for special contests remain in place. This includes predefined structures for prize distribution and operational requirements already outlined in earlier regulations.
By introducing greater flexibility, the regulation allows Caixa to align future draws with culturally or commercially relevant dates, potentially increasing engagement and ticket sales throughout the year. The operator retains full discretion over which occasion to select.
The update sits within ongoing adjustments to Brazil’s lottery framework while maintaining its established formats. Special draws, particularly those that guarantee prize distribution, have historically driven spikes in participation, as seen with the Mega da Virada, which continues to attract nationwide attention.
Brazil’s Federal Court of Accounts is currently scrutinizing delays in Caixa’s entry into the fixed-odds betting market despite prior regulatory approval
