First online sports betting and ilottery solution has been introduced in Brazil

LotoMinas, the official lottery of Minas Gerais state in Brazil, has launched the first regulated ilottery and online sports betting solution through a partnership between NeoGames and Intralot do Brasil.

This multiyear turnkey agreement, which was initially disclosed in June, marks NeoGames’ entry into the Brazilian market and involves a long-term collaboration with the state’s lottery operator.

Aspire Global and BtoBet, two companies acquired by NeoGames last year, will lead this project, which is the company’s first significant endeavor through its subsidiaries.

The lottery operator will receive ilottery and online sports betting services from NeoGames.

Moti Malul, CEO of NeoGames, expressed his enthusiasm for entering the Brazilian market and collaborating with Intralot do Brasil, which has a greater understanding of the local market than NeoGames, an Israel-based supplier.

He stated, “Together, we will deliver a top-notch online gaming experience to online lottery and sports betting players in Minas Gerais.” He added that the deal demonstrates the benefits of the company’s recent strategic acquisitions by utilizing BtoBet’s online sports betting solution and Aspire Global’s managed services.

Digital solution

The existing retail lottery of Minas Gerais will serve as the foundation for the digital solution created by the two companies, which includes NeoSphere, a local cloud-based platform developed by NeoGames for Brazil. NeoSphere includes a suite of games tailored for the local market, as well as Aspire’s customer relationship management and sports risk management system, and BtoBet’s comprehensive online sports betting solution.

Sérgio Alvarenga, CEO and owner of Saga Business Games Intelligence and Intralot do Brasil, stated, “As a pioneer in the Brazilian lottery market, this partnership with NeoGames, one of the most innovative ilottery providers in the industry, is a natural fit. The expansion plan for new states and federal licenses includes new modalities of online instant games and sports betting, as well as investments in technology. We are confident that our collaboration with NeoGames will advance the lottery.”

Regulating market

Recent reports suggest that Brazil’s new government may be taking steps towards federal legalisation of sports betting, coming shortly after the launch of the first regulated ilottery and online sports betting solution in the country. A Brazilian sports journalist’s blog states that the Ministry of Justice plans to submit a proposal to regulate sports betting to the government, which could lead to authorisation of the activity. This development is significant as hopes for legalisation were dashed in December 2022 when outgoing President Jair Bolsonaro declined to approve the final regulations.

The way for ilottery and online sports betting was paved in September 2020 when Brazil’s Federal Supreme Court (STF) ruled that the federal government did not have the constitutional authority to declare exclusivity over the operation of lottery games. Consequently, each of the country’s 26 states is now permitted to organise and promote their lotteries without central government intervention.