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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.

Image by Bicho365.com
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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RESORTS WORLD LAS VEGAS NAMES TOM MCMAHON SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF SLOT OPERATIONS AND MARKETING

Resorts World Las Vegas is continuing the expansion of its executive leadership team with the appointment of Tom McMahon as Senior Vice President of Slot Operations and Marketing.
A respected leader with more than two decades of experience in gaming and hospitality, McMahon steps into his role effective immediately.
“Tom’s deep expertise in luxury casino operations and marketing makes him a powerful addition to our team,” said Carlos Castro, President and Chief Financial Officer of Resorts World Las Vegas. “We look forward to the leadership he will provide in this essential function at Resorts World Las Vegas.”
McMahon has held senior roles at some of the most recognized names in the industry, including Wynn Resorts, Bellagio Resort & Casino, Las Vegas Sands, Venetian | Palazzo and most recently Sycuan Casino Resort. At Resorts World Las Vegas, he will lead initiatives across slot operations, marketing and the Genting Rewards Loyalty Program, with a focus on innovation, guest engagement and operational excellence.
Said McMahon, “Returning to Las Vegas to join a forward-thinking property like Resorts World is an incredible opportunity. I am eager to help shape the next chapter of growth by enhancing the guest experience and building on the strong foundation already in place.”
For more information about Resorts World Las Vegas, please visit rwlasvegas.com.
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Aristocrat Gaming and Aristocrat Interactive to Debut Innovative Firsts at the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Show 2025

Aristocrat Gaming and Aristocrat Interactive will showcase four world premieres in land-based gaming, and innovative solutions for tribal customers in booth #242 during the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Show (OIGA), taking place July 14-16 in Oklahoma City, OK.
Making its first public appearance, Polar High Roller Super Lightning Wilds will be a Class II gaming highlight of the show, evolving the player-favorite Lightning Wilds brand, bringing it to new premium hardware on the Marquis three-reel cabinet. Additional features include popular Class III mechanics like Hold & Spin and a digital wheel, combined with classic touches including Red Screen Free Spins. Polar High Roller Super Lightning Wilds will be on the popular $UPER HIT$ JACKPOT$ $250k MSP link.
In an Aristocrat Gaming first, the company will introduce a Class II Bartop. The all-new Bartop will feature VGT by Aristocrat Gaming classics like The Hunt for Neptune’s Gold, with more to follow.
Making its trade show premiere, All-Star Scratchers brings a unique, innovative gaming experience to the Neptune Single and MarsX Portrait hardware. This new bespoke game allows players to form any combination of their favorite VGT characters including Hot Red Ruby, Mr. Money Bags, Lucky Ducky, and Jewel. All-Star Scratchers also features even more Red Screen Free Spin action with four different bingo cards at play at once, resulting in more fun and excitement.
In Class III, Chief Inferno will also make its world premiere. Housed on the MarsX Flex, Chief Inferno is an extension of the popular Buffalo Chief family, featuring classic Chief stack multipliers, now with all-new enhanced Gold Coins that create even larger Chief stacks, as well as a popular bonus meter.
Presented on the Marquis three-reel cabinet, Buffalo Eclipse takes a classic stepper game and elevates the excitement with Hold & Spin and a metamorphic meter. Spin the digital wheel for a chance at the Grand Jackpot, Eclipse Hold & Spin, or other credit prizes.
Aristocrat Gaming will display its latest hardware, The Baron Portrait cabinet. The Baron Portrait takes on the same basic shape as The Baron Upright, with a new and sleek 43” curved ultra hi-def 4K monitor. The curved monitor on The Baron Portrait was carefully designed for proven player comfort and ergonomics with an improved visual display. Its launch portfolio of Coin Trio Buffalo, Spooky Link, and Fa Fa Fa is now available and quickly making its way onto casino floors across the country.
Making its OIGA debut on The Baron Upright is the all-new Galactic Quest for Love and Money. Specifically designed for The Baron Upright, this game features the popular Re-spin mechanic with an innovative twist, set to entertain players with its out-of-this-world graphics and sounds.
Aristocrat Interactive will showcase the power of an omni-channel experience, with innovative solutions that bridge the gap between retail and online gaming.
The company will present a tailored Class II mobile gaming solution for Tribal operators that will extend its brand to players beyond the casino floor. This new offering allows players to enjoy their favorite Aristocrat Gaming Class II games like Mr. Money Bags and Lucky Ducky on their mobile device on approved tribal land, including from the hotel room, restaurants in the resort, pool area, and more.
Gaming Systems will display its version 15 suite of products designed to modernize casino floors with the latest features in OASIS casino management; floor-wide bonusing and media capabilities with ONE LINK; new features in the PlayerMax mobile app, including mobile enrollment and a new progressive jackpot display with player alerts; and a Loyalty solution designed for accurate reinvestment and player engagement.
Aristocrat remains invested in tribal gaming, underscoring its dedication to supporting tribal operators with cutting-edge technology, forward-thinking gaming solutions, as well as supporting tribal communities.
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NASCAR & iRacing Renew Partnership with PlayVS

PlayVS, the leading amateur esports platform, announced the renewal of its groundbreaking partnership with NASCAR and iRacing, reaffirming its commitment to supporting the rapidly expanding eNASCAR College iRacing Series. This renewed collaboration will continue to bring high-octane, competitive virtual racing to college students across the country, providing unique career and scholarship opportunities through one of the most innovative programs in collegiate esports. This season will also mark the debut of PlayVS as the official league platform, following its recent acquisition of Playfly College Esports.
Launched in 2022, the eNASCAR College iRacing Series has quickly become one of the most engaging and inclusive collegiate esports competitions in the country. Powered by iRacing’s premier motorsport simulation platform and NASCAR’s deep racing heritage, the series gives full-time college students the opportunity to compete for scholarship prizes, develop real-world career skills, and gain exposure to professional motorsports and esports pathways.
The eNASCAR College iRacing Series has grown to over 300 schools and almost 500 unique racers. In April, the 2024-25 Series season concluded with Cal State Fullerton’s Logan Clampitt celebrating victory at the Homestead-Miami Speedway and earning $10,000 in scholarship prizes.
“Renewing our partnership with NASCAR and iRacing reflects our commitment to delivering competitive and meaningful esports experiences to college students across North America. The eNASCAR College iRacing Series is not just about virtual racing—it’s a launchpad for future talent in motorsports, gaming, and media,” said Charles O’Donnell, Sr. Director of College Esports at PlayVS.
Through iRacing’s hyper-realistic simulation software, students experience the thrill of authentic stock car racing while competing from their dorm rooms, esports arenas, or home setups. The upcoming 2025-26 season promises even more exciting races, new tracks, and increased prize opportunities.
“We’re proud to continue building the future of sim racing through our partnership with iRacing and PlayVS. The eNASCAR College iRacing Series is more than just competition—it’s a foundational bridge between the collegiate esports ecosystem and the world of NASCAR. As we enter the 2025–26 season, this partnership strengthens our commitment to developing young talent, expanding access, and inspiring the next generation of motorsports professionals,” said Ray Smith, Sr. Director of Esports at NASCAR.
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