As the US sweepstakes market faces increasing regulatory hurdles, Alea is turning its sights to Brazil, which could emerge as a major growth opportunity, according to Founder Alexandre Tomic.
Speaking at SBC Summit Lisbon, Tomic said that with the right regulation, Brazil “could become one of the biggest sweepstakes markets in the world.” While Alea experienced an initial slowdown as Brazil’s regulated gambling sector launched on 1 January 2025, Tomic remains optimistic.
“I do believe in sweepstakes in Brazil a lot,” he added. “It’s a market where sweepstakes are going to take off.”
Conversely, Alea’s prospects in the US are diminishing as more states move to ban sweepstakes gaming. Tomic acknowledged that the US market “is about to close” and indicated the company may exit to avoid legal risk. “We have invested a lot there, but we’re not going to risk a court case.”
Looking ahead, Tomic sees potential in prediction markets, betting on events, but stressed that any expansion would require regulatory stability and long-term guarantees.
Tomic noted: “Integration could take six months to a year, and the regulatory landscape may change. We need to ensure a long-term strategy before entering this new line of products.”
With Brazil emerging as a potential new hub, Alea is preparing to pivot its sweepstakes strategy internationally while cautiously monitoring developments in the US.
