Brazilian players demonstrate greater responsibility in betting
A national study by Datafolha reveals significant changes in the behavior of Brazilian bettors, with positive indicators regarding responsible gambling. The consultancy interviewed 1,970 people in 139 municipalities across all regions of Brazil on May 20 and 21, 2026, with a margin of error of two percentage points, updating the profile of players and comparing the results with a similar survey conducted in 2024.
The data is encouraging: the percentage of those who reported using their savings to bet decreased from 22 percent in 2024 to 19 percent in 2026. The proportion of those who gave up purchases to invest in gambling also decreased, from 19 percent to 11 percent, an 8 percentage point drop. The trend is repeated in other critical indicators: those who borrowed money to bet dropped from 15 percent to 8 percent.
The most dramatic indicator was the drop in the proportion of players who stopped paying their bills to use online gambling platforms, which decreased from 13 percent to 6 percent. This halving suggests that awareness campaigns, stricter regulations, and increased availability of responsible gambling tools are having an impact on Brazilian consumer behavior.
The context of these changes is relevant: Brazil is in the midst of an accelerated regulatory transformation of the online betting sector, with new licenses, increased oversight, and more robust consumer protection frameworks. Datafolha's data suggests that this institutionalization is generating a positive effect on player conduct, at least in the more conscious segments of the market.
For Latin American iGaming, the Datafolha study provides evidence that regulation and responsible gambling are not obstacles to growth, but rather enablers of more mature and sustainable markets. Brazil is positioning itself as a regional benchmark in this regard, demonstrating that it is possible to expand the online betting industry while improving consumer well-being indicators.
Tags: Brazil, Responsible gaming in LatAm, Online betting statistics, Online betting Brazil, Gambling debts Brazil