New Datafolha survey on betting points to a growing maturity among bettors.

A Datafolha survey conducted on May 20th and 21st indicates a positive shift in Brazilians' perception that online betting and gambling are an addiction. The survey also shows a reduction in the use of resources such as savings and borrowed money to finance this practice, according to a report by [source name missing]. FSP.

The percentage of those who believe that sports betting, also known as "bets," and online gambling are addictive has risen from 54% in the 2024 survey to 57% in the current survey.

In general, the 2026 research shows that there has been a maturation in tactics and self-preservation. The average gambler in 2026 seems to have learned not to compromise food and bills to gamble (which is a major advance). However, this does not translate into abandoning the addiction or reducing the compulsion, as the frequency of gambling remains high.

1.970 people were interviewed in 139 municipalities, including metropolitan areas and inland cities from all regions of the country. The margin of error for the total sample is plus or minus 2 percentage points.

The assessment that this represents a waste of money remains at the same level of 30% recorded in November 2024, when Datafolha asked the same question, while those who say it is entertainment fell from 9% to 6% — a fluctuation within the margin of error.

Only 1% see online betting and gaming as a source of income or financial investment.

Form of payment

Datafolha also captured a change in the type of money spent on gambling, compared to the November 2024 survey. The sources of funds that gamblers seek to finance their gambling are diverse, but the current survey shows a reduction in these sources used to fund the practice.

The percentage of those who have already withdrawn money saved in savings accounts has fallen from 22% in 2024 to 19% in the current survey. Now, 11% say they have stopped buying something to use the money for gambling, compared to 19% two years ago.

Those who used credit cards to gamble fell from 15% to 10%. The percentage of those who borrowed money to gamble dropped from 15% to 8%, while those who skipped paying bills to gamble went from 13% to 6%. Because it is a small group, the margin of error for gamblers is 6 percentage points.

According to Lauro Gonzalez, coordinator of the Center for Studies in Microfinance and Financial Inclusion at FGV (Fundação Getulio Vargas) and professor at FGV Eaesp, although close to the margin of error, the movement of the numbers between the 2024 and 2026 surveys may reflect the government's attempts to place obstacles to gambling and restrictions for beneficiaries of the Bolsa Família program, as well as an increase in user awareness and the indebtedness of gamblers themselves.

“Over-indebtedness and gambling are phenomena that go hand in hand. And, as it has risen so much, the market may have balanced itself in a bad situation. Indebtedness may have excluded some players because it reached a very high level. It's a possibility, the phenomenon needs to be studied,” says Gonzalez.

The impact of online gambling on Brazilian debt has generated concern within Lula's government because it could harm the Workers' Party leader's popularity in an election year. The issue was addressed in the new version of the "Desenrola" program, prohibiting gambling for individuals with CPF numbers (Brazilian taxpayer ID numbers) who are in arrears and enrolled in the debt renegotiation program.

Fear of addiction

For BS, a 40-year-old dentist who asked not to be named, the relationship with gambling has changed recently. He claims to have lost the habit of gambling after he began to feel anxiety about betting, as well as fear of becoming addicted. He says that he often felt depressed and confused because he would even bet against his own football team on the betting site, when he thought that betting in favor of the rival team could earn him money back.

“I used to root for scores that would hurt my team so I could win a betting slip. It wasn't emotionally healthy. I haven't put money into that for over a year,” he says.

Distrust regarding the integrity of gambling, following the Parliamentary Inquiry Commission on Betting, which concluded in June 2025, also contributed to his decision to stop, according to the dentist, who now says he only bets when he receives messages from some betting sites that send bonuses to attract customers.

“Some companies send you R$10 by email to play for free. But in general, you lose. I only bet now in this context. I bet like that last week, but I don't spend any more money. You feel like they manipulate the results. We're always going to lose. Those who stayed are addicted,” says BS.

Sports betting was legalized by a law passed in the last month of Michel Temer's (MDB) government, in December 2018. Virtual slot machines, in turn, were included in Brazilian regulations by Congress in December 2023.

The percentage of Brazilians aged 18 or older who say they gamble on online betting or casinos is currently at 7%, the same level recorded in the 2024 survey.

Who is the gambler?

The profile of the Brazilian gambler is predominantly male and young. According to Datafolha, 11% of men have already placed bets in online betting sites or casinos and continue to do so, compared to 3% of women. The 18-24 age group accounts for 13% of gamblers, those aged 25-34 represent 11%, while those aged 35-44 make up 9%. Above that age, the figure is 4%.

The survey also indicated that, among those who regularly place bets online, 36% do so weekly, a level similar to the 35% recorded in 2024.

Approximately 20% report betting every day. The bi-weekly frequency is 13%, while the monthly frequency is 19%. Those who bet less frequently than that represent 11%.

The margin of error in the segment of those who regularly place sports bets is 10 points, therefore, the frequencies are considered stable.

Regarding the amounts spent on gambling, the average monthly expenditure on online betting is R$ 241, and in online casinos, it is R$ 232.

What the numbers show is a gambler who has become more down-to-earth out of necessity (financial and emotional), but not yet a cured or fully conscious gambler. As the expert said, the phenomenon needs to be studied, but the strongest hypothesis is that the "shock" of indebtedness and government regulations is forcibly shaping this new behavior.