The Brazilian state of Espírito Santo is preparing to introduce its own state-run lottery, Banestes Loteria
The Brazilian state of Espírito Santo is preparing to introduce its own state-run lottery, Banestes Loteria, which will be managed through Banestes, the state-owned bank.
The project aims to offer entertainment for residents while generating funds to support the general public. Amarildo Casagrande, the bank’s Director-President, said operations should begin before the end of this year when announcing the institution’s H1 financial results
Finding the right partner
Earlier this year, Banestes received three proposals from organisations looking to manage the lottery. The bank originally wanted to choose a partner by April and begin operating the lottery within H1, but ultimately decided to draw the process out and evaluate prospect partners more thoroughly.
As reported by Brazilian media outlet A Gazeta, Casagrande said that the delay is deliberate as the company looks to ensure that its lottery partner has all the right credentials.
“This partner must have international experience and all the necessary certifications. So, we’re in the process of selecting a partner now, and we hope to begin operating the lottery effectively by the end of the year.”
Socio-economic benefits
Banestes Loteria is being designed as ‘more than just a game’. Revenue will go toward important areas like education and healthcare. Dividends will also return to the Espírito Santo government to fund public programmes.
Casagrande emphasised the purpose: “The lottery is capable of generating significant resources that will be channeled in the interest of the citizens. It is less about generating a product for recreational use, but more about channeling resources to areas that are of most significance to society.”
How the lottery will be sold
The plan is for a mix of physical outlets and online platforms: Lottery tickets will be sold at stores across the state, whilst Banestes is negotiating with its network of correspondents, BanesFácil, to include lottery sales at existing service points.
Meanwhile, the bank also wants a strong online presence to cater to a modern audience; younger players and those who prefer digital gaming. This mixed model is seen as essential to keeping up with Brazil’s evolving gaming market.
Looking ahead
Even though discussions with potential partners are still ongoing, the state expects to launch the Banestes Loteria by the end of the year. For the state government, it’s a way to raise money without adding extra taxes for residents.
Casagrande added: “The lottery is capable of generating significant resources that will be channeled in the interest of the citizens. It is less about generating a product for recreational use, but more about channeling resources to areas that are of most significance to society.”
The national context
Brazil’s betting scene is in a period of rapid change since it came into play at the start of the year, but illegal and unregulated gambling remains a problem.
The National Association of Gaming and Lottery (ANJL), which represents state-run lotteries across the country, has recently declared that despite the introduction of a fully regulated national betting market, black and grey market operations are still widespread.
To tackle this, ANJL last month partnered with the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA), the federal body responsible for overseeing legal betting.
The duo intend to crack down on illegal operations and support state lotteries in expanding their presence in Brazil’s growing legal betting sector, which analysts estimate could generate more than R$4bn (€612.9m/US$715.7m) in 2025.
Meanwhile, the activities of municipal lotteries remains an area of contention, due to these lotteries’ jurisdictions often overlapping with those of state lotteries. Some have even called on the Brazilian Supreme Court to suspend municipal lotteries.
https://lotterydaily.com/2025/08/18/regulation/espirito-santo-lottery/