The Caixa lottery network will fall to 12.966 units in the first quarter of 2026.

Caixa Econômica Federal registered 12.966 lottery units in the first quarter of 2026. This number represents a reduction of 149 establishments compared to the same period in 2025. The bank released its financial report on Friday (May 16).

Despite Caixa's recurring net profit of R$ 3,5 billion in the first three months of the year, the lottery network continues to shrink, mainly due to the indebtedness of the establishments. This scenario contrasts with the channel's importance: the lottery network processed 405 million transactions in the first quarter of 2026, remaining the second channel with the highest volume of operations for Caixa, second only to digital transactions in apps.

The lottery network decreased by 36 units compared to the fourth quarter of 2025, when it had 13.002 points. The contraction was 0,28% in the quarterly period. In the annual analysis, the drop reached 1,14%.

The Performance Analysis Report provides information on the performance of the banking correspondent network.

Revocation of permissions

Caixa revoked 50 permits for the sale of lottery tickets between January and April 2026. There were 23 revocations in January. In February, the number was 11. March registered 10 revocations. April had 6 cases.

In 2025, the total number of revoked permits reached 162 units. This number includes both mandatory and voluntary processes.

Compulsory revocations follow the Administrative Sanctions System of Caixa Circular No. 1084/2025. Voluntary revocations occur when the business owner returns the permit to the bank. BNLData consulted business owners in the sector. They pointed to the high indebtedness of the network as a possible factor for the high number of revocations.

“The main reason for the shrinking of the lottery network is indebtedness. As revenue has fallen drastically due to digital competition and a lack of products, it has led to these compulsory and voluntary revocations. Furthermore, interest in buying a lottery unit has decreased significantly. This should be a point of concern for Caixa Econômica Federal (the Brazilian state-owned bank). The bank has an almost perfect business model in terms of protecting its interests. Anyone interested in buying an established and indebted lottery outlet has to acquire the CNPJ (Brazilian tax ID). By buying the CNPJ, they are obliged to settle any existing debt, preventing the bank from incurring losses. So Caixa never loses. With the devaluation of the lottery business due to the drop in revenue, the opposite is now happening; the debt is greater than the value of the lottery permit,” commented the president of the Brazilian Federation of Lottery Companies – Febralot, Ricardo Amado Costa.

The head of Febralot is aware of the challenges facing the Lottery Network, such as reduced revenue, competition from the digital world, and the new market arising from the regulation of sports betting, and how lottery operators should be integrated into this operation.

“To minimize the impacts, there is a need to open the lottery network counters to all products legally authorized to operate and to fully include lottery business owners in the digital sphere. Both are fundamental to the viability of maintaining a strong and thriving lottery network,” commented Ricardo Amado Costa.

“The difficulty Caixa Econômica is having in modernizing its lottery network could drastically reduce the sector's lifespan. Although Febralot frequently discusses the topic with Caixa Loterias and finds theoretical support, practical implementation needs to be urgent. Modernization is indispensable. The market is unforgiving and demands agility; we cannot be held hostage by obsolete equipment installed 20 years ago. We constantly demand speed from Caixa, and although there is an understanding of the need, it is necessary to move beyond theory. The LOTEX case is a clear example of this failure. The project was harmed by inadequately launched products, flawed lottery plans, and, mainly, by the choice of an inefficient distribution model. A passive sales approach was chosen instead of an active one, without robust commercial work, resulting in absurdly long delivery times and an unviable operational model,” noted the president of Febralot.

Transaction volume

The total transaction volume across Caixa's channels reached 15,0 billion in the first quarter of 2026. This represents a 21,3% increase compared to the same period in 2025. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2025, the volume remained stable.

Digital transactions totaled 14,4 billion in the first quarter of 2026. Channels include apps and Internet Banking . The increase was 23,5% compared to the first quarter of 2025. Compared to the previous quarter, the growth was 0,1%.

The lottery network processed 405 million transactions in the first quarter of 2026. This channel is the second largest in terms of transaction volume for Caixa. This number represents a 1,6% decrease compared to the fourth quarter of 2025, when 411 million transactions were recorded. Year-on-year, the reduction was 13,4%. The first quarter of 2025 had registered 467 million transactions.

The transactions recorded in the lottery network do not include bets on lotteries administered by Caixa. The data refers exclusively to banking operations and financial services processed at these establishments.

Transactions via apps increased from 11,580 billion to 14,311 billion in one year. The expansion was 23%. During the same period, transactions at lottery outlets fell from 467 million to 405 million. The decrease was 13%.

Service infrastructure

Caixa's service infrastructure covers more than 97% of Brazilian municipalities. There are 24,6 service points in total. The physical network includes 3,9 conventional branches and service centers.

Banking correspondents total 20,7 units. This number includes lottery outlets and CAIXA Aqui establishments.

The structure includes 11 truck-based branches. There are 2 boat-based branches. There are 3 container-based branches. The institution provides 20,7 self-service terminals installed in specific locations and rooms. The public has access to 27,3 terminals of the Banco24Horas Network for banking transactions.