A recent survey conducted by market research specialist Hibou has shed light on the financial struggles faced by 10% of the Brazilian population due to gambling, just before regulation is set to take effect. The survey, which gathered responses from 2,839 individuals across all social classes in Brazil, aimed to examine the extent of gambling in the country.
The study revealed that a staggering 68% of Brazilians participate in some form of gambling, with approximately 16% admitting to experiencing financial difficulties as a direct result of their gambling activities. This translates to around 10% of the entire population grappling with financial woes caused by gambling. It is worth noting that these findings were collected prior to the launch of the legal online gambling market, scheduled for January 1, 2025.
Among those who reported facing financial problems from gambling, 32% resorted to selling assets to cover their losses, while 29% turned to borrowing money from friends or family members, and 25% dipped into their savings. Shockingly, 23% of individuals disclosed that their gambling-related financial troubles remained unresolved. Despite these alarming statistics, a mere 2% of Brazilians self-identify as gambling addicts.
Interestingly, 65% of survey participants acknowledged knowing someone who had encountered financial challenges stemming from gambling. For those who abstain from gambling, a lack of trust in the fairness of betting and games was cited by 44% as a major deterrent, while 30% indicated a lack of disposable income as their reason for refraining from gambling.
Analysis of the survey data further revealed that 53% of players ended up spending more money than they won across all the games they played, with less than half (48%) claiming to have ever walked away with a winning bet. Lotteries accounted for 12% of the games in which players turned a profit, while raffles contributed to 14% of the profitable outcomes.
A noteworthy finding from the study was the perception that gambling games are highly addictive, as reported by 88% of non-gambling respondents. A mere 3% of individuals disagreed with this notion, while 9% remained undecided. The survey also highlighted online games, particularly the controversial Fortune Tiger, as being particularly risky in terms of fostering gambling addiction, as identified by 69% of participants.
Fortune Tiger, an Asian-themed slot game that has faced criticism for its use of influencer advertising tactics to lure players into losing substantial amounts on unscrupulous websites, has led to arrests. Despite these controversies, the game is set to be available in the regulated market in accordance with Normative Ordinance No 1,207 on online games. This development underscores the need for vigilant regulation and oversight in the burgeoning Brazilian gambling market.
