Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul launches first stage of lottery tender
The State Treasury Secretariat (Sefaz) of Mato Grosso do Sul has launched a new notice aimed at selecting a company to operate the first stage of Lotesul, the state’s lottery system, which has been suspended for nearly two decades. The proposal seeks to hire a specialized technology company to implement and manage lottery activities, integrating payment functions for better financial control. In addition, it must perform maintenance, adjustments and updates throughout the contract, delivering the source code and complete database at the end of the term.
The electronic auction is scheduled for March 17, at 8:30 AM, on the website www.compras.ms.gov.br. In addition to operation, the contract will include maintenance and updates to the system. Funds generated from Lotesul will be allocated to housing programs.
This initial stage of the state lottery regulation process focuses on creating the infrastructure necessary to supervise and control the activity.
According to the state government press release: “This means that the State Government is currently structuring the technological base that will allow for efficient management of lottery operations. Only after this phase is completed will a new process be launched to select the companies responsible for operating lottery games in Mato Grosso do Sul.”
In August 2022, the State Department of Finance of Mato Grosso do Sul began credentialing legal entities to operate lottery products under Lotesul.
The process was divided into four batches covering different types of games, allowing one operator per 2 million residents, including foreign applicants. The government planned to establish a Superintendency of Lottery for oversight, with a revenue allocation of at least 12 per cent for royalties and 5 per cent for fixed quota sports betting. A study projected R$ 9.8 billion in revenue over ten years, with R$ 7.5 billion for prizes.
However, the tender was suspended in September 2022 after a complaint from NGT (New Games Technology) Brasil, citing concerns over competition and transparency leading to the potential for a monopoly. Although the state appealed, The Superior Court of Justice (STJ) rejected it in June 2024.
