A reporter from Metrópoles bet R$ 50 and won R$ 130 on the VLT (light rail) at the Tayayá resort.
Reporters Valentina Moreira and Sam Pancher, from Metrópolis, discovered that the Tayayá resort, in Ribeirão Claro, Paraná, maintains a betting room authorized by Lottopar (the state lottery authority) and poker tables. The video lottery terminals (VLTs) have been operated since 2024 by the concessionaire BET PR, owner of the Apostou brand, according to information from Lottopar.
According to an interview with Metrópoles' "Cardápio do Dia" (Menu of the Day), the pair of reporters arrived at the location after receiving prior information about the existence of a gaming area in the resort, valued at over R$ 30 million. Initially, when they inquired about the establishment, they received evasive answers from employees.
"Ah, it's still under construction, it's not ready, we don't know for sure," was the initial response given to journalists when they asked about the games area, as recorded in the interview.
The exact location of the room was revealed by a child of approximately 10-12 years old, during a casual conversation with a family staying there. When Valentina asked, "Do you know if there's a casino here, or something?", the child promptly replied, "Oh, no, there is, it's in such and such a place," surprising even her own parents.
The gaming area, which had been open for only three weeks when the journalists visited, operates in a reserved area of the resort. The space features neon lights, carpeting, poker tables, video lottery terminals, and staff serving drinks.
Bets on the VLTs (light rail vehicles) are made exclusively via Pix (Brazil's instant payment system). During one of the bets made by reporter Valentina Moreira, she invested R$ 50 and won R$ 130, and she certainly received the amount through a PIX payment from Apostou. The betting site is open until 23 PM.
In addition to the light rail terminals being certified and monitored in real time as per the 2024 state decree, an employee offered reporters the opportunity to participate in card games after regular operating hours.
Regarding the organization of Blackjack games , a game prohibited in Brazil, the employee explained: “No, and so on, uh, I'm the dealer and we do it. We just have to wait for more people to get together.”
In other words, there was no proof that the gaming hall offered casino games like Blackjack . Regarding poker tables, it's important to note that this activity is legal in Brazil, being considered a mind sport (like chess) and not a game of chance. This is because skill and strategy prevail over luck. Clubs and tournaments are permitted.
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Resort Tayayá operates with games authorized by the Paraná Lottery.
