Loterj President highlights Rio’s regulatory leadership at Brazil–UK business forum

The president of the Rio de Janeiro State Lottery (Loterj), Hazenclever Lopes Cançado, represented the state last week at the LIDE Brazil–United Kingdom Forum in London, where political and business leaders from both countries met to discuss trade, investment, and regulation.

The event, held on Thursday and Friday, sought to strengthen dialogue between Brazil and the United Kingdom on economic and business cooperation.

Hazenclever was among the panelists in a session dedicated to gaming and lottery platforms, alongside Senator Irajá, rapporteur for Brazil’s Casino Bill in the Senate, and Susan Bala, an international expert and CEO of Phoenix Global Technology.

Also taking part were João Dória Neto, president of the LIDE Group, and Carlos José Marques, head of LIDE Content. The discussion focused on the regulatory progress shaping Brazil’s gaming landscape and its implications for growth and transparency.

During his presentation, the Loterj president outlined the state’s achievements in legalizing and regulating new gaming modalities. Under his leadership, Rio de Janeiro became the first state in Brazil to regulate fixed-odds betting and, more recently, to authorize Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs). 

Hazenclever said the development of this market has the potential to deliver significant economic benefits. According to his projections, the regulated gaming and betting industry could generate more than 65,000 formal jobs, attract investments, and stimulate tourism throughout the state’s 92 municipalities.

“Brazil is ready to be a world leader in regulated gambling, and Rio de Janeiro remains at the forefront of this transformation,” he stated.

In addition to its regulatory work, Loterj directs part of its revenues toward social initiatives. The organization channels funds to education, health, social assistance, and inclusion programs.

While in London, Hazenclever, accompanied by Loterj Vice President Fabíola Esteves and Rio’s Undersecretary for International Relations Bruno Costa, met with Brazil’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Antônio Patriota. The meeting took place as part of the broader forum agenda and centered on exchanging insights into the gaming and betting sectors in both countries.

“It was a valuable opportunity to exchange experiences with a diplomat of Ambassador Antônio Patriota’s stature and to understand how the United Kingdom has been improving its gaming and betting regulations. This dialogue reinforces Loterj’s commitment to international best practices and to increasingly transparent and responsible governance,” said Hazenclever.

Bruno Costa noted that engaging with the UK’s well-established market offers important lessons for Brazil’s emerging framework.

“The gaming and betting market is strong and traditional in the United Kingdom. Now, as we structure our market in Brazil — particularly in the State of Rio de Janeiro through Loterj — understanding its dynamics and regulation here gives us a greater foundation and confidence, ensuring that our market is solid, safe, and above all, capable of generating revenue for the State,” he said.

The LIDE Brazil–UK Forum opened Thursday evening with a dinner attended by high-profile figures from both nations, including Susan Bala, former São Paulo governor João Doria, and former Brazilian president Michel Temer. The gathering marked the beginning of two days of discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and fostering new opportunities for collaboration across industries.