39M+ Brazilians bet online last year, CNDL study shows
The rise of digital betting in Brazil continues to grow. According to the survey published by CNDL in collaboration with SPC Brasil, around 40 million consumers placed bets online during the past year, consolidating the country as one of the most active markets in Latin America in terms of real money digital entertainment.
54% of respondents indicated sports betting as their main choice, while in the online casino games category, slots account for 28% of preferences, followed by roulette (22%) and other electronic gambling games (20%).
Pix remains the dominant payment method, used by 76% of players, with an average monthly expenditure of R$187, a figure that rises to R$255 among social classes A and B.
Indebtedness and effects on daily life
Beyond the sector’s growth, the report reveals a worrying side of the phenomenon: 19% of bettors admitted to having committed part of their income to continue betting, and 41% acknowledged having given up essential expenses such as eating out (15%), internet (12%), or groceries (12%) to finance gambling.
17% of participants confessed to having stopped paying bills due to their betting, and nearly three out of ten (29%) have already experienced credit problems derived from their gambling behavior; 17% are still in that situation.
On the emotional and social level, 28% of respondents reported negative effects on their well-being, including irritability, family conflicts, anxiety, and depression (8% each). Work or academic productivity was also affected in 7% of cases.
Warning from the unions: a “fun” that becomes a risk
The president of CNDL, José César da Costa, described the results as “a warning sign about the consequences of the uncontrolled growth of online betting in the country.”
“The high level of indebtedness and the impacts on mental health show that this ‘fun’ is turning into a social and economic problem. It is essential that regulation prioritizes consumer protection, especially of young people, with public policies that address gambling addiction as a disease,” emphasized da Costa.
The union leader also called for stricter restrictions on advertising and payment methods, as well as awareness campaigns that promote responsible gambling.
For his part, the president of SPC Brasil, Roque Pellizzaro Júnior, expressed his concern about the normalization of gambling in the country’s digital culture:
“Gambling has ceased to be a pastime and has become a trap for many Brazilians. We must ensure that the sector’s growth does not compromise the financial health of families.”
Rejection of betting promotion by celebrities
The survey also reflects a critical public reaction to the promotion of betting on social media:
- 60% of those interviewed consider it negative that celebrities or influencers advertise gambling platforms.
- 41% have even stopped following public figures for being linked to this type of promotion.
The study by CNDL and SPC Brasil confirms that online gambling has become integrated into the daily consumption of millions of Brazilians, but it also exposes financial and emotional risks that require immediate attention.
While the Ministry of Finance advances in implementing federal fixed-odds betting regulation, experts warn that the effectiveness of the regulatory framework will depend on its ability to balance tax revenue, consumer protection, and control of problem gambling.
Tags: Brazil, CNDL, Brazil bettor report