LoteRN should start operating in the 1st half of 2026

THE Rio Grande do Norte Lottery (LoteRN) should begin operations in the first half of 2026, according to the State Finance Department (Sefaz). The accreditation notice for companies interested in exploring the service will be released by the end of this month, based on Ordinance No. 1,306, published in the Official Gazette at the beginning of December.

The first modality to be operationalized will be Fixed Odds Bets (AQF) — known as bets. Sefaz reported that there is still no defined date for the launch of the notice, but maintained the forecast that the process will be completed by the end of 2025. The expectation is to raise around R$25 million in 2026, the first year of operation, with an initial investment estimated at R$3 million.

According to the ordinance, the commercial exploitation of betting will be delegated to the private sector through permission and accreditation contracts. Individual legal entities or consortiums may participate in the process, including subsidiaries of foreign companies based in Brazil — as long as a Brazilian partner holds at least 20% of the share capital.

Law No. 12,217/2025, which created the State Lottery, was sanctioned in June and regulated in September by Decree No. 34,840/2025. The standard defines rules for accreditation, operation and supervision, in addition to establishing that bets can be placed on both physical and digital channels, in modalities such as numerical contests, sports predictions and fixed odds bets.

The text also imposes responsible gaming measures, including self-exclusion tools, educational campaigns and a ban on participation by under-18s. Companies must prove their suitability and adopt mechanisms to prevent money laundering and anti-fraud control.

The regulations also provide for the creation of the State Lottery Fund, which will receive unclaimed prize amounts after 90 days. Part of the funds raised will be allocated to areas such as health, education and public safety, according to Sefaz.

With the new service, the state government intends to expand sources of non-tax revenue and stimulate the local economy, exploring the betting sector under a free competition regime and focusing on transparency and security.