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Jogo do Bicho – Ever Heard About the Largest Lottery in the World?
Still quite popular as an illegal gambling game in Brazil, Jogo Do Bicho (the animal game) has been prohibited by law since the 1940s. The game is mainly used by mobsters as a lottery-type drawing using daily state lottery draws.
These mobsters facilitating the animal game are known as Contraventores (“Bankers”). Let’s take a closer look at where it all began, and the game’s influence on Brazilian culture today.
History of the Popular Game
Joao Batista Viana Drummond, a Brazilian born Englishman and the ‘originator’ of Jogo Do Bicho, encouraged visitors to guess the type of animal that he would hide behind a curtain as a publicity stunt and became very popular with it. The game then became a big numbers game of animals being assigned to 25 different set of numbers.
Many believe that the popularity of the game grew to such an extent because of the large or small wages that could be bet. No limit or minimum wage was required to put down a wager.
Sometimes motivated by corruption and to crack the cycle of gambling, the policies on acceptance of the game grew larger until gambling was prohibited by federal law in 1946. Even though being illegal in most Brazilian states, the game was still thriving.
In 1966, Sao Paulo Police had a successful crackdown operation on the game that grew to an annually grossing of US$500 Million and employed roughly 1% of Brazilian workers. The crackdown operation was quietly resolved.
Where It Can Be Played
The only state in Brazil that have legalised the game and where it is regulated is Paraiba. As any amount may be wagered it can be quite dangerous and it is the only state-operated lottery where wagers are not limited to a maximum amount.
It is illegal in Rio de Janeiro, although the game is quite popular. The same goes for 25 states in Brazil where the game is illegal. Thanks to Brazilian legislation, anyone playing the animal game in any of the states where it is illegal, may be persecuted by law.
How It Works
The game works with mnemonic associations using the draw numbers with a selection of 25 random animals. For Example, choosing the number 1 the animal name would be Ostrich, Using the number 2 will count for Eagle and the number three would be used for Donkey.
Each of the 25 animals would have four numbers between one and one hundred assigned to them.
An example of how one would start your game is to bet one Brazilian Real on an animal, but one can also choose combined numerals assigned to an animal.
The bankers consist of managers, operators and dealers. Players place their bets at point-of-sale (“Pontos”) sites where dealers collect money as well as keep records of all the bets and send the records through to the operator who is also in charge of the draws.
Finding your dealer to place your bet is pretty easy as they are seen in almost every corner of every street with a very specific appearance with floral printed shirts, sunglasses and cigars usually waiting by their “Pontos” which is usually small wooden boxes or simple stools.
On the drawing days, phone lines get clogged beyond belief, with phone companies naming them “Bicho hours”. The drawing which is usually held in local Bicho headquarters at 2 pm is always quickly distributed by taxi or scribbled notes, as well as scribbled on designated walls and destinations with chalk.
Influence on Brazilian Culture
In Brazilian society, Jogo Do Bicho has had a big impact on the culture whether they have been involved in the game or not, with the significant association of the number twenty-four in Brazilian politics, sports and homosexuality.
Influence on Brazilian Sport
With 24 being the number of the deer animal in the game of Jogo Do Bicho, and the deer being associated with gay men, the number has caused some difficulties with professional athletes. As male athletes heavily avoid number 24 jerseys, they are always dissatisfied when forced to wear a number 24 jersey.
With the zebra animal not being in the game of Jogo Do Bicho, the team manager of the Portuguesa football Team “Gentil Cardoso” once described their chances against opposing team “Vasco da Gama” as drawing a zebra in Jogo Do Bicho.
Therefore, insinuating that it would be impossible as they are a much weaker team. As Portuguesa did win that game, the zebra has since been used in Brazil for sports defeats.
Number thirteen has also been significant in sports and is the number for the rooster in the Jogo Do Bicho game. The number is also used by two different football teams.
A football club from Paraiba “Treze Futebol Clube” uses the rooster as their mascot as the meaning of “Treze” is thirteen. Another football club also using the rooster as their mascot is “Clube Atletico Mineiro” as their supporters expected the year 2013 to be the year of the rooster and won the Libertadores cup in 2013.
Influence on Brazilian Politics
In politics, many LGBT candidates use the number 24 in their campaigns to be seen as being associated with the LGBT movement.
The number is also used by heterosexual politicians in the case that they have an Anti-LGBT agenda or not. The Brazilian senate has 81 senators, not one of the senators use the number 24 in their cabinet.
Even though the animal game is still illegal in most states in Brazil, it remains one of the most popular games in the country and is considered to be the largest lottery in the world.
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Endorphina Enters into Partnership with Luckia
Endorphina has entered into a partnership with Luckia, a leading company in the gaming sector. Combining Endorphina’s passion for slots with Luckia’s innovative spirit, this partnership is set to provide incredible gaming experiences to all iGaming enthusiasts.
Endorphina’s Senior Partnership Manager, Zdenek Llosa, shared his excitement about the partnership: “We are thrilled to join forces with Luckia, a respected and influential operator in Colombia, Spain, Mexico, and Portugal. This partnership is a significant step forward in our global expansion strategy, allowing us to reach new players and markets. We are confident that Luckia’s players will appreciate the quality and diversity of our games, and we look forward to a fruitful and enduring collaboration.”
Luckia is a commercial brand of Luckia Gaming Group that combines offline and online gaming, including traditional businesses such as gaming machines in bars and restaurants and gaming arcades, new online gaming activities, and land-based sports betting. By advancing the current concept surrounding gaming, Luckia aims to provide an extensive entertainment experience, democratizing gaming and making it a social, accessible, and trust-inspiring activity.
Eloy Fernandez, Head of Product at Luckia, said: “We’re thrilled to announce our new partnership with Endorphina, with Mexico being the first market to go live with their creative slot content on Luckia’s platform! Endorphina’s distinctive games will not only enhance our offering but also provide a fresh and engaging experience for our Mexican players. Their unique approach aligns with our mission to elevate entertainment and optimize our services in key markets.”
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eCOGRA Approved to Operate in Arizona, Indiana and Panama
eCOGRA, a leading international authority in Testing, Inspection and Certification services for the iGaming industry, has secured new regulatory approvals across three key jurisdictions: Arizona, Indiana and Panama. With these developments, eCOGRA strengthens its position in the U.S. and Latin American markets, offering excellence in compliance through their Quality, Speed, and Service promise.
This strategic expansion allows eCOGRA to conduct independent compliance audits and certification services in each region, addressing the growing demand for rigorous regulatory oversight in the fast-evolving global iGaming industry.
Securing approval in Arizona, where eCOGRA has now been licensed as an Event Wagering Ancillary Supplier, enables the International Testing Laboratory (ITL) to audit event wagering licensees in line with Arizona’s expanding regulatory landscape. Indiana, which introduced online sports betting in September 2019, has authorised eCOGRA to perform regulatory compliance audits, providing licensed operators with crucial assurance in meeting the state’s high standards.
In Panama, the Board of Gaming Control officially recognised eCOGRA as an Authorised Entity for Compliance Certification, specifically for slot machines and gaming software. This endorsement reinforces eCOGRA’s role as a trusted partner for operators seeking to meet stringent regulatory requirements in Latin America’s emerging iGaming sector.
“Our recent approvals in Indiana, Arizona, and Panama underline our dedication to continually expand our offering, to support our growing portfolio of clients with their global growth plans. We are committed to ensuring that we bring the same quality, speed and service that marks us out to both our clients and regulators in these dynamic markets,” said Will Shuckburgh, Group CEO of eCOGRA.
Bradley Khoury, Chief Technology Officer at eCOGRA, said: “Securing licensure as an Event Wagering Ancillary Supplier in Arizona and an Authorised Entity in Panama underscores our dedication to supporting responsible and sustainable iGaming operations. We are committed to driving trust and accountability within the industry by providing compliance solutions that uphold the highest standards.”
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Aposta Ganha launches Black Friday promotion with new ambassador Luva de Pedreiro
Aposta Ganha, the fastest growing Brazilian sports betting and casino site in Brazil, has launched its Black Friday promotion with its newest ambassador Luva de Pedreiro, AKA Bricklayer’s Glove.
With over 21 million followers on Instagram, the digital influencer and social media phenomenon will strengthen the brand’s presence in the market and shake up Black Friday with a campaign full of special offers for bettors.
Known for his catchphrase “Receeeeba!” and his irreverent personality, Luva de Pedreiro will be the main face of the campaign, creating a direct connection with the public, football fans and social media enthusiasts. The partnership aims to increase Aposta Ganha’s visibility in the market, attract new bettors and offer an even more dynamic experience.
Aposta Ganha is taking advantage of Black Friday to reinforce its commitment to ethical and transparent operations in the market. The platform complies with the new regulations of the Federal Government and invests in education and awareness initiatives, ensuring a safe experience for its users. Vitor Paulin, Chief Marketing and Growth Officer at Aposta Ganha, said: “Signing an ambassador like Luva de Pedreiro is a huge milestone for Aposta Ganha. His authenticity and connection with the public make him the ideal partner to boost our brand and make the betting experience even more exciting.”
Aposta Ganha’s Black Friday brings unmissable offers for all types of bettors. One highlight is that bettors will receive 10% cashback on the amount lost in the Aviatrix game and daily offers for sports betting. The promotions will be valid from November 21 to 30, with exclusive advantages in selected games each day.
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