Brazilian Congressman Jorge Picciani of the state of Rio de Janeiro announced he opposes the proposed privatization of the national lottery, Lotex. Picciani said he plans to send a letter to government officials expressing the position of the Parliament of the state of Rio de Janeiro against auctioning Lotex and creating a monopoly to operate the instant lottery. “This is serious, the group that wins this possible bid will want to have a right to all the state. Obviously, it is a usurpation within a federative state,” Picciani said.
If the privatization plan moves forward, Rio would lose $6.3 million annually in lottery proceeds that is used to finance social projects. Governor Luis Fernando Pezão had no comment on the issue.
Although Brazil is emerging from its worst recession in history, President Michel Temer has proposed privatizing numerous government agencies, including the lottery. Temer is battling a corruption scandal that has slowed support for austerity measures amid budget deficits.
