The , located in the interior of São Paulo state, recently approved the establishment of a municipal lottery. Bill No. 615/2021, presented by Councilman Júnior da Farmácia (MDB) and co-sponsored by Marcão da Academia (PSD), allows the city to operate lottery modalities regulated under Federal Law 13.756/2018. The initiative aims to generate funds for investments in key areas such as health, social assistance, human rights, culture, and sports.
The bill, under discussion since 2021, argues that the municipal lottery could positively impact the population by channeling the revenue into specific social welfare programs. Earnings from physical or digital tickets will be used to pay prizes, taxes, administrative expenses, and public policy funding. After passing in the City Council, the proposal was forwarded to Mayor Anderson Farias Ferreira for approval or veto.
Context and expected benefits
The creation of municipal lotteries in is a growing trend facilitated by recent federal legislative changes. São Paulo city recently announced its own lottery project, reinforcing the potential of this revenue model. In São José dos Campos, the initiative complements programs like “Nota Fiscal Joseense,” which incentivizes tax compliance through prize drawings and aims to increase municipal revenue to fund essential public services.
According to information from the City Hall, the lottery will be managed transparently and tied to programs addressing local needs. In 2023, São José dos Campos reported a GDP per capita exceeding R$ 61,000, maintaining its status as one of Brazil’s most developed municipalities with a high Human Development Index (HDI) and robust economic potential.
Next steps
If sanctioned by the mayor, the bill will move into the regulatory phase, defining lottery types, operating rules, and partnering institutions. There will also be efforts to ensure that the collected funds are efficiently allocated to designated areas, promoting transparency and credibility.
Experiences from other cities and states suggest that well-implemented municipal lotteries can become effective tools for supplementary revenue, stimulating the local economy and improving residents’ quality of life. For the people of São José dos Campos, this initiative is poised to be another strategy to enhance the city’s social and economic development.
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