The Rio de Janeiro State Lottery (Loterj) received a formal invitation to join UN Tourism. With this, it became the first gaming and betting authority in Brazil to be called to join this strategic group.
On the same date, the Brazilian Agency for International Tourism Promotion (Embratur) also joined the initiative, which expands Rio de Janeiro’s role in the connection between tourism, innovation and economic development.
The entry of the two institutions into the initiative highlights the role of the State in this articulation. The movement occurs in a scenario in which tourism and regulated entertainment begin to occupy a relevant space in economic growth strategies.
How integration into the UN Tourism reinforces Rio de Janeiro’s agenda
Hazenclever Lopes Cançado, president of Loterj, states: “This invitation is a recognition of the work that Rio has been carrying out to connect tourism and development.
Legal gambling, when well regulated, can be an important ally in generating jobs, attracting investment and strengthening tourism.”
Furthermore, data from the Ministry of Tourism show that the legalization of gaming could increase the share of tourism in the Brazilian Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from 8% to 12%. Likewise, the measure could generate up to 20% more jobs in the sector.
In Rio de Janeiro, the regulation of video lotteries (VLTs) and the advancement of Sport Bars could result in the creation of 65 thousand formal jobs in the next two years. This scenario also tends to stimulate investment and the local economy.
Impacts of regulated entertainment on tourism and the social area
Regulated entertainment contributes to tourism by extending the length of stay of visitors. As a result, sectors such as hotels, gastronomy, transport and commerce are also busy.
At the same time, lottery resources produce social impact. In the last three years, Loterj increased the budget allocated to projects aimed at vulnerable communities by 4,530%.
Growth of tourism in Rio de Janeiro follows progress of the initiative
While this agenda advances, tourism in Rio de Janeiro is experiencing strong expansion. In 2025, the state received more than 12.5 million tourists and recorded 2.1 million foreign visitors, the best result in the sector in the last three decades.
Finally, the initiative expands Rio de Janeiro’s presence in global debates on tourism and economic development.
