Datafolha survey indicates reduced financial impact from betting, says ANJL
A new survey has reignited the debate over the impact of online betting on Brazilian household finances. According to the National Association of Gaming and Lotteries (ANJL), the findings show that the regulated betting sector cannot be identified as the main cause of the population’s indebtedness. They also point to improvements across several indicators related to bettors’ financial well-being.
The survey, conducted by the Datafolha Institute, also found that the percentage of Brazilians who say they place bets has remained stable compared with a previous survey conducted in November 2024. According to the data, 7 per cent of the population reported participating in betting activities, the same level recorded before Brazil’s fixed odds betting market regulation came into force. In addition, the survey found a reduction in average monthly spending on online casinos and in behaviours associated with financial difficulties resulting from betting.
Financial indicators declined
Comparing the November 2024 survey with the latest edition, several indicators linked to the financial impact of betting on personal finances showed a decline among respondents who said they gamble.
- The share of bettors who said they had compromised their personal finances in order to gamble fell from 44 per cent to 35 per cent.
- Those who reported failing to pay bills because of betting dropped from 13 per cent to 6 per cent.
- The percentage of respondents who said they had stopped purchasing products or services in order to allocate money to betting decreased from 19 per cent to 11 per cent.
- Meanwhile, the proportion of bettors who said they had taken out loans to gamble fell from 15 per cent to 8 per cent.
Another figure highlighted by ANJL was the reduction in average monthly spending on online casinos. According to the survey, this fell from BRL 354 ($69.14) to BRL 232 ($45.31), representing a decline of approximately 34 per cent.
The association said these figures weaken the narrative that the growth of betting is leading an increasing number of Brazilians to replace essential household expenses, such as food, clothing or utility bills, with gambling expenditure.
Regulation identified as a contributing factor
According to ANJL president Plínio Lemos Jorge, the comparison between the two surveys demonstrates the effects of the regulatory framework introduced in Brazil in 2025. He said the new model introduced mechanisms designed to protect consumers, including tools to identify risky behaviour, establish player limits and strengthen enforcement against illegal operators.
“The one and a half year interval between the surveys demonstrates the importance of the rules established by the regulatory framework, combined with increased enforcement measures and the removal of illegal platforms from the market.”
Since the beginning of the regulatory framework, the federal government has intensified oversight of authorised operators and has also blocked thousands of betting websites considered irregular. The measures were implemented by the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA), which operates under the Ministry of Finance, to ensure betting activity is channelled through licensed operators subject to Brazilian regulations.
Number of bettors remains stable
One of the main findings highlighted by the association is the stability in the percentage of Brazilians who report placing bets. According to Datafolha, only 7 per cent of respondents reported taking part in betting, the same level recorded in the 2024 survey. Across the full sample, only 4 per cent said they regularly access online casinos. According to ANJL, these figures contradict the perception that betting has spread rapidly among the Brazilian population following the regulation of the sector.
The survey interviewed approximately 2,000 people across 139 Brazilian municipalities, including state capitals, metropolitan areas and inland cities, providing a nationwide overview of betting habits.
Despite the improvement in financial indicators, the debate over the effects of betting remains intense in Brazil. The survey itself shows that public perception about the risks associated with betting remains high. Most Brazilians believe that sports betting and online gaming can lead to addiction, while a smaller proportion view betting primarily as a form of entertainment.
In recent months, the sector has also been subject to new restrictions relating to advertising, the use of digital influencers and stronger responsible gambling campaigns. At the same time, Brazilian authorities continue to discuss additional measures aimed at protecting vulnerable groups and strengthening enforcement against illegal platforms.
Although the regulatory framework represents an improvement on the previous system, when much of the market operated without national oversight, the financial health of consumers, betting behaviour and the effectiveness of responsible gambling policies will require continuous monitoring in the coming years.
Data may help reduce misinformation
According to ANJL, the survey was released at a particularly sensitive and strategic moment, especially given the approach of Brazil’s election period. According to Plínio Lemos Jorge, the findings contribute to a more informed public debate on the regulated betting market and may help prevent statistically unsupported claims from influencing discussions about the sector.
The association argues that the stable number of bettors, combined with the decline in financially harmful behaviours and the reduction in average monthly spending, indicates that most consumers view betting as entertainment rather than as an activity that significantly compromises household finances, as is often claimed.
ANJL also acknowledged that monitoring the social impacts of betting will remain important in assessing the long-term effects of Brazil’s regulatory framework over the coming years.
This article was first published on the Portuguese SiGMA News page on 17 July 2026.
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