Threats and million-dollar demands: monopoly of the illegal lottery game "jogo do bicho" with a criminal faction is being investigated in Ceará.

By: Magno José

Historically, drug trafficking is the main source of income for criminal factions. It is the struggle for control of drug-selling points that leads to daily killings and deaths, and violence is escalating in Brazil. In the last two months, a practice involving illegal gambling operators and leaders of armed groups has been gaining ground in Fortaleza, terrorizing the population and allowing one specific faction to profit millions.

According to a report by Diário do Nordeste, based on information from an intelligence source at the Ceará State Secretariat of Public Security and Social Defense (SSPDS-CE), it all began with a meeting between the owners of a local lottery and members of an armed group from Rio de Janeiro. The proposed deal was: 25% of the lottery's revenue for the faction, and in exchange, the criminals would ensure that only that company could operate in certain areas. Thus began the monopoly of the illegal lottery game known as "jogo do bicho" in the capital of Ceará.

Those who resisted the order had to pay between R$1 million and R$2 million to continue setting up their stalls. If there was no negotiation, the threats were carried out: arson, gunfire, kidnappings, and other crimes. In a few weeks, the scheme spread. Currently, at least nine locations in various Integrated Security Areas (AIS) of Fortaleza have registered these threats.

See the map below:

Where has the scheme already been?

In Quintino Cunha, for example, the threats began back in September. The report heard from residents of the neighborhood that they fear the gang's activities in the area and that at least five people were financially harmed because they were prevented from working for two weeks. Out of fear of reprisals, those who set up gambling stalls in the neighborhood chose not to give interviews.

Million Dollar Funding
The source from SSPDS (Public Security and Social Defense Secretariat) interviewed for this report explains that in these locations, ticket scalpers can only work if they use the machine from the lottery partnered with the Rio de Janeiro faction. To find out if the order is being disobeyed, the faction members patrol the neighborhoods observing the betting shops.
"To top it all off, many police officers provide personal security for the people involved in this lottery. What will happen if the authorities don't put an end to this in time? The faction will become stronger with this money, and as a consequence, the number of deaths in the state will increase."SSPDS Server
On Wednesday night (27), members of the faction released another warning: “My friends, we are going to arrive at those gambling stalls that are open in the favela and we are going to take all the gambling machines” (sic).
Also concerned about the situation, the son of a betting shop representative says he always tried not to know much about his father's work. However, in recent days, as a resident of the outskirts of the city, he realized he couldn't remain silent in the face of these events. The man, whose identity is being protected, says that for almost a month he has been reading messages from a faction aimed at eliminating the competition and charging significant sums of money, in addition to a monthly fee for those who want to continue gambling.

"Now, gentlemen, if Organized Crime already has the income from drug trafficking, imagine what they'll get from illegal gambling. It's rumored they're charging a fee of 1 million reais for any gambling operation that wants to resume operations, and a monthly fee of 100 reais. It will be a real war against the police," says the son in the post.

The messages also state that two previously banned lotteries have resumed operations, leading the whistleblower to infer that they paid the amount demanded by the criminal consortium: “Crime feeding crime. It would be comical if it weren't tragic. This place will become like Rio de Janeiro in terms of public safety if nothing is done,” he emphasizes.
Orders published on social media

The threats are being spread on social media (Source: Diário do Nordeste)

Authorities Investigate
The report found that the Public Prosecutor's Office of Ceará (MPCE) is aware of and investigating the case through the Special Action Group to Combat Organized Crime (Gaeco). However, the MP stated that the case is under seal and it could not provide further information so as not to jeopardize the progress of the investigation.
The Federal Police stated that, in theory, the illegal lottery game known as "jogo do bicho" falls under the jurisdiction of state police forces and that "with regard to criminal factions, the Federal Police is strongly involved in this area, in conjunction with other security forces, but does not comment on any ongoing investigations."
The Civil Police of the State of Ceará stated in a note that it investigates all criminal offenses that come to its attention. "It should be noted that in specific cases, where the involvement of criminal organizations is evident, the work is conducted by the Organized Crime Repression Unit (Draco)." The Civil Police emphasized that details of ongoing investigations are not disclosed so as not to compromise police work.Journal of Northeast – Emanoela Campelo de Melo – CE)

Opinion: Illegal gambling is migrating to truly criminal structures.