During the 38th extraordinary session, the majority of the Aracaju (SE) City Council approved a substitute for Complementary Bill No. 6/2025, presented by councilor Isac Silveira, this Wednesday (18/06).
The measure sets out the guidelines for the Municipal Executive Branch to provide, directly or indirectly, under a concession or permission regime, the public lottery service in the capital of Sergipe, also known as LOTAJU.
The approval of the project had 14 votes in favor and 7 against. Voted against: councilors Pastor Diego, Lucio Flavio, Alex Melo, Moana Valadares, Elber Batalha, Fabio Meireles and Thannatada Equitherapy.
Those in favor of the project were the councilors Isac Silveira, Rodrigo Fontes, Iran Barbosa, Camilo Daniel, Selma França, Levi Oliveira, Bigodedo Santa Maria, Sávio Neto de Vardo, Anderson de Tuca, Sgt. Byron, Binho, Maurício Maravilha, Joaquim da Janelinha and Breno Garibalde.
According to the new project, the purpose is to finance actions in the areas of culture, tourism, youth, sports, inclusion and social assistance. In addition to areas such as affordable housing policies, social security protection, as well as environmental protection. The resources will be exclusively allocated to the area of retirement and pensions.
LOTAJU’s sources of revenue will be the collection of bets, financial income, donations, aid and legacies, agreements and prizes not claimed after 90 days. Public banks have priority to close the city hall contract.
Amendment to the Aracaju lottery bill on bets
With the project approved, councilman Elber Batalha introduced an amendment that changes the wording of the 4th article and prohibits the Aracaju municipal lottery — LOTAJU — from exploring lottery modalities with immediate results (electronic games) and sports betting. However, the amendment was rejected by 10 votes.
Councilman Lúcio Flávio highlighted that the mayor’s leader, Isac Silveira, had said that there would be no gambling games. “But they just overturned an amendment that prohibited the association with betting. The text that said it was not a bet was rejected. There is something wrong that we need to discuss,” he said.
Councilman Isac Silveira, who is in favor of the project and against the amendment, said that “I have a clear conscience. There is no way we can stop this and we are discussing a public tax. If there are resources for the Union and the State, why can’t we have them in Aracaju?”
With approval, the project will be sent to Mayor Emília Corrêa for approval or veto.
