Datafolha Poll: Only 7% of Brazilians Engage in Online Betting, Spending Drops 34%
2026-07-16
Source: iGaming Business
A new Datafolha poll shows only 7% of Brazilian adults currently place online bets, with gambling-related financial strain declining and average casino spending dropping 34% year-on-year.
A fresh Datafolha survey indicates that online betting remains a niche activity in Brazil, with just 7% of voters aged 18 and older currently placing bets. The poll, conducted on 20–21 May across 139 cities with 2,004 respondents (margin of error ±2 percentage points), shows that 93% of Brazilians do not participate in such betting. This figure mirrors the November 2024 result, suggesting stability in participation rates.
Demographic breakdowns reveal that men are significantly more active than women in betting (11% vs. 3%), and the highest engagement is among the 18–24 age group (13%). Among those who report being in debt, only 6% place bets—a proportion nearly identical to the general population, reinforcing that the sector is not a primary driver of household indebtedness.
Shrinking Financial Exposure
The survey highlights a clear trend toward more restrained gambling behaviour. Among current or past bettors, only 35% say they have compromised their finances to bet, down from 44% in 2024. The methods used to fund betting have also declined: 19% used savings (down from 22%), 11% forewent a purchase (down from 19%), 10% used a credit card (down from 15%), and 8% borrowed money (down from 15%). Missed bill payments fell from 13% to 6%, and selling items to bet dropped from 5% to 2%. Defaulting on payments held steady at 5%.
Spending Patterns Shift
Average monthly spending on online betting is now BRL241 ($48), up slightly from BRL216 in 2024 but below the 2023 level of BRL268. Spending on online casinos specifically saw a sharper reduction: average outlay dropped 34% to BRL232 from BRL354. Betting expenditure remains concentrated in the middle range, with 28% of bettors spending between BRL101 and BRL500 per month on casinos. Those spending more than BRL500 fell to 10% from 13%.
The data overall points to a maturing market where participants are exercising greater financial discipline, and the industry’s role in consumer debt appears minimal.