State Deputy Yuri Moura has submitted a legislative decree project to suspend the authorization for the installation of Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) in commercial establishments in Rio de Janeiro. The initiative was presented in the Legislative Assembly of the State of Rio and aims to block decree nº 49.804/2025 signed by Governor Cláudio Castro.
The lawmaker’s action comes after the city of Rio de Janeiro annulled the permit that would allow the installation of betting terminals at the Jockey Club Brasileiro. According to news portal Jornal de Itaipava, the Municipal Secretary of Public Order (Seop) revoked the authorization for the installation of VLTs at the Gávea Hippodrome.
Yuri Moura argued that there had been no public debate on the issue as the governor “chose to impose the measure via decree, without the participation of the parliament and society.” The deputy said that he plans to file an action for unconstitutionality.
The parliamentarian also expressed his fear that the decree could lead to an increase in gambling related harm.
“The installation of these betting machines in non-exclusive establishments, like bars, bakeries, and small businesses, normalizes gambling and makes it an everyday activity, easily accessible, drastically increasing the likelihood of compulsive behaviour, especially among low-income individuals,” the deputy stated.
The deputy also questioned the claim that the decree would lead to 65,000 jobs saying that it had been exaggerated. In addition player protection measures as outlined in the bill were inadequate, he said while the scope of the decree “can create significant loopholes for money laundering and other illicit activities.” The lawmaker argued that: “The overload of Loterj’s oversight capacity is a real risk, turning the gambling environment into fertile ground for criminal organizations and compromising the integrity of the financial system.”
The deputy also introduced four bills in the Legislative Assembly of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Alerj) to mitigate the negative effects of gambling expansion. Bill nº 5482/2025 aims to regulate sports and lottery betting, establishing limits on advertising and terminal operations. Bill nº 5483/2025 focuses on raising awareness about the risks of gambling addiction and preventive measures. Bill nº 5484/2025 seeks to enhance anti-money laundering efforts and oversight of lottery operations. Lastly, Bill nº 5485/2025 implements monitoring mechanisms and penalties for establishments facilitating illegal betting or exposing vulnerable individuals to debt risks. All these proposals are currently under consideration.
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State Deputy Yuri Moura has submitted a legislative decree project to suspend the authorization for the installation of Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) in commercial establishments in Rio de Janeiro. The initiative was presented in the Legislative Assembly of the State of Rio and aims to block decree nº 49.804/2025 signed by Governor Cláudio Castro. The…
The post Lawmaker seeks to block VLTs in Rio de Janeiro appeared first on G3 Newswire.