Brazil is not collapsing because of gambling: the data shows this.
Brazil is not collapsing because of gambling. The country has been mired in a predatory credit model for decades, and the data clearly shows this. Currently, about 78% of Brazilian families are in debt, representing more than 60 million households. Of these, 31% are over-indebted, meaning they commit more than half of their income to debts they cannot repay.
This is a structural phenomenon, aggravated by factors such as the highest real interest rates in the world, with the Selic rate above 10% since 2022, revolving credit exceeding 440% per year, installments of up to 20 months in traditional retail, refinancing and pre-approved loans, especially among classes C, D and E, in addition to the growth of the unbanked population returning to the financial system through fintechs and PIX, often without any responsible credit screening.
“Blaming iGaming for the country's structural debt is distorting the facts. The problem lies in the expensive, easy, and unregulated credit that has existed for decades,” says Leonardo Sampaio, CEO of TQJ and executive of the Silvio Santos Group.
Meanwhile, the financial sector earned R$ 147 billion in 2024, and the retail sector grossed R$ 4 trillion, with R$ 800 billion in installment sales. Neither of these sectors is required to implement consumer protection policies, such as self-exclusion, spending limits, or blocking based on risk profile.
The iGaming sector, despite its visibility in advertising, represents a much smaller fraction of this scenario. The actual base of active monthly gamblers in Brazil is around 10 to 12 million people — about 5% of the population and 8% of households. This is less than the number of Brazilians who buy raffle tickets, consortiums, or store installment plans. Comparing this number to the 60 million indebted households is disproportionate.
iGaming generates R$15 billion annually in gross gaming revenue, representing less than 0,5% of the national GDP. With the new regulation, the sector will collect R$2,5 billion annually in direct taxes and already employs over 50 people in Brazil. Since January 2025, it has been 100% regulated, with a mandatory license issued by the Ministry of Finance. It is also the only sector with a legal requirement for Responsible Gaming practices, such as self-exclusion, spending limits, compliance, and risk monitoring.
It's easy to point the finger at a new sector. But iGaming isn't the villain of indebtedness. The problem is old, structural, and lies exactly where it's always been: in the predatory credit model, the lack of financial education, and the historical lack of consumer protection. The blame doesn't lie with a R$5 bet. If the debate is about responsibility, let it be with data, context, and seriousness.
“The Silvio Santos Group has always built trust with the working class of Brazil: those who work, dream, and face life with courage. TQJ carries on this legacy, with mandatory Responsible Gaming practices. For us, responsibility is measured by our commitment to the reality of those on the other side of the screen,” says Sampaio.
