Online gambling drives Brazilians into debt, addiction
“A huge relief.” That’s how Kaio*, 42, described his reaction upon hearing the news last Friday (Sep. 25) that online gambling companies, or “bets,” had been banned in Brazil. He says he is trying to rebuild his life after losing his car, his home, and his job because of gambling debts. Today, Kaio lives alone in a dormitory in a small town in Goiás state. There, he sleeps on the floor every…
Kaio, a 42-year-old man from Goiás state, is struggling to rebuild his life after losing his car, home, and job due to gambling debts. The online gambling ban, enforced in Brazil, has brought relief to individuals like Kaio. However, the problem of gambling addiction remains prevalent, with Brazilian families losing an estimated USD 12 billion in 2025.
Regulation of online betting in Brazil only began in December 2023, leaving operators without proper regulatory framework for years. Psychiatrist Katia Branco says vulnerable individuals are particularly susceptible to gambling addiction and have been exposed to misleading advertising. Brazilian households lost BRL 62.5 billion to betting from October 2024 to March 2026.
Unenforced regulations allowed betting companies to send bonuses and advertisements to compulsive gamblers, leading to financial ruin. The law required companies to block access to users identified as compulsive gamblers, but this was never enforced. The law even encouraged companies to send bonuses and advertisements to bettors, resulting in financial loss for them.
Notably, 20.4% of students in their final years of elementary and high school reported placing online bets in the past year, with some starting as young as age 11. Psychologist Mariana Kehl emphasizes that adolescents are more vulnerable due to their developing brains. Experts warn that suicidal ideation should be taken seriously and addressed openly.
Written by urgent.news from Agencia Brasil's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
