Loteria Mineira launches betting site in Minas Gerais, Brazil

Minas Gerais, the second-most populated state in Brazil, has launched sports betting locally by opening an online sportsbook and lottery site.

The legislation to approve lottery offerings and sports betting in Brazil is still being reviewed by the government, leading states to make independent moves.

Minas Gerais predicted new betting and industry products generating gross revenue of approximately BRL5 billion (US$961m) over the next two decades, with around BRL500 million (US$96.1m) going into the state’s coffers.

Loteria Mineira (LEMG), the state-owned lottery operator, was permitted by the state government to launch an online sportsbook and lottery site, Lotominas.bet. The platform will reportedly run for a test period of 120 days.

Patrons that have been certified by Brazil’s CBF registry will be allowed to take part in the trial by placing bets on sports and playing keno and instant lottery. The portal was developed in partnership with Intralot and, according to a promotional message on the website, is the country’s first official licensed gaming platform.

The funds from the bets will reportedly be used to finance social projects headed by the government of Minas Gerais.

In a press release, the general director of Loteria Mineira, Ronan Moreira, revealed that the Keno Minas game was currently available for customers to play online and via mobile devices. Moreira disclosed that options like instant lotteries were offered in the new portal. If the 120-day trial does not go well, the online portal will be shut down.

Minas Gerais, which is located in southeastern Brazil, is home to over 20 million people. The state’s decision to locally launch an independent gambling market comes while the country waits for federal sports betting legislation. The only thing needed for the new framework to be approved is the signature of President Lula da Silva.

Rio de Janeiro and Paraiba are also reviewing opportunities to launch lottery and sports betting options. Rio intends to have things up and running in the next six months, kicking off with an online and retail betting tender.

Earlier this month, Hazenclever Lopes Cançado, president of Loterj, revealed that Rio would open its fixed-odds betting tender in around 120 days. The region intends to have both online and in-person betting partners.

The Paraiba government signed off on a measure on January 17 to legalize sports betting. According to the state law, the Paraiba State Lottery will regulate the new sector, granting concessions to privately owned firms for a decade. Gaming operators without an office in Brazil will not be allowed to apply.

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