Data presented by the president of the Central Bank confirms that betting is not responsible for indebtedness.
The data presented by the president of the Central Bank (BC), Gabriel Galípolo, at the opening of Febraban Tech 2026, on Monday (24), do not support the narrative that bets are responsible for the indebtedness of Brazilian families. He pointed to greater access to credit, through cards and payroll loans, as the main cause of the problem.
Today in Brazil, there are 96 million credit card users, according to the Central Bank. Of these, 52,8 million have debts in revolving credit or installment plans with interest, with rates reaching more than 15% per month. The average commitment of income to credit card spending has increased from 38,5% to 54%.
The president of the National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL), Plínio Lemos Jorge, emphasizes that betting sites do not accept this payment method. Therefore, it is not possible to link gambling to debt. “The sector operates with Pix as a payment method, without the use of credit cards. And this is precisely one of the regulatory measures to prevent indebtedness. Once again, it is proven that betting sites are nowhere near the root causes of families' financial difficulties,” he states.
Data from the Ministry of Finance shows that of the total number of people registered on gaming platforms during the launch period of the Desenrola program, less than 3% had debt-related restrictions and joined the program. This does not mean that the other 97% have no debt, but they were not in the specific restriction database.
Plínio also highlighted that formalization has had an economic impact. By 2025, the regulated market had reached a significant volume of activity and began generating jobs, revenue, and investments around a chain that was previously not subject to this set of rules.
Tax revenue in the same year reached R$ 9 billion, according to the Federal Revenue Service. Regarding the 12% tax on Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR), R$ 4,5 billion was allocated to areas such as public safety, education, sports, tourism, and health.
The numbers show what President Galípolo's diagnosis summarized: the problem of indebtedness is associated with consumption and high-interest credit lines.
About ANJL
Launched in March 2023, the National Association of Games and Lotteries defends the interests of its members, the sector, and responsible and ethical gaming, always guided by the encouragement of sports, the security of bets, and the contribution to the country's economic development. Among its members are: Aposta Ganha Loterias, Fast Gaming, OiG Gaming Brazil, Ana Gaming Brasil, Esportes Gaming Brasil, SPRBT Interactive Brasil, Defy, LBBR Aposta de Quota Fixa, Lucky Gaming, Reals Brasil, Gamewiz Brasil, BETBR Loterias, Versus Brasil, SorteNaBet Gaming Brasil, Blow Marketplace, Sistema Lotérico de Pernambuco, Vanguard Entretenimento Brasil, Hiper Bet Tecnologia, Pocket Games, ODDSGATE Brasil, Upbet Brasil, EB Intermediações, Big Brazil Tecnologia e Loteria, and EBAC.
