Datafolha Poll Shows Betting Not Main Driver of Brazilian Household Debt, Says ANJL

The National Association of Gambling and Lotteries (ANJL) has interpreted new Datafolha survey results as confirmation that sports betting is not the leading cause of indebtedness among Brazilians. The poll, which compares data from November 2024 (before full market regulation) and the current period, highlights a stable 7% proportion of the population that engages in betting alongside a 34% drop in average monthly spending on online casinos, from BRL 354 ($70.80) to BRL 232.

Key findings from the survey include a decline in financially risky betting behaviour. The share of bettors who said they compromised their finances to place wagers fell from 44% to 35%, while those who skipped paying a bill to bet dropped from 13% to 6%. Similarly, bettors who forwent a purchase to free up money for betting decreased from 19% to 11%, and those who borrowed money to bet fell from 15% to 8%.

ANJL president Plínio Lemos Jorge noted that the 18-month gap between the surveys underscores the positive impact of regulatory measures, including tools to curb compulsive gambling and intensified enforcement against illegal operators. He stated: “The data provided by Datafolha technically refutes assumptions circulated by critics of the betting market.” The association argues that the figures contradict the narrative that betting sites are destroying Brazilians’ financial and mental health.

The nationwide poll, which surveyed nearly 2,000 people across 139 municipalities, found that only 4% of respondents regularly access online casinos, refuting claims that such activity is widespread. Since the survey was anonymous, Lemos Jorge added, there is little reason to doubt its accuracy.

ANJL believes the release is timely ahead of the election campaign season, potentially curbing misinformation used for political gain. “The survey indicates a stabilisation in both the number of bettors and the frequency of betting,” Lemos Jorge concluded, “meaning most bettors view betting sites simply as another form of entertainment.”