Over half of Brazilians engage in gambling activities

According to a survey by Hibou, a market research firm, 68% of Brazilians participate in gambling, with approximately 16% acknowledging that their gambling addiction has led to financial difficulties. Among those experiencing financial issues related to gambling, 32% reported selling personal items to cover their losses, 29% admitted to borrowing money from friends or family, and 23% indicated that their financial challenges remain unresolved.

Among the respondents who do not gamble, 44% pointed to distrust in the fairness of betting games, while 30% mentioned a lack of disposable income. Notably, a significant majority—88% of non-gamblers—believe that gambling can lead to addiction.

In terms of perceived risk, 64% of all participants identified casinos and slot machines as the most addictive, while only 34% considered sports betting to be the least risky.

Demographically, 47% of gamblers are single, and 43% are married, with gender representation evenly split at 50% for both men and women. The survey found that the age group most inclined to gamble is those aged 55 and older, accounting for 27%, followed by those aged 35 to 44 at 22%, and individuals aged 25 to 34 making up 21%.

As Brazil moves toward establishing its legal gambling market, 73% of respondents believe that gambling companies should be subject to taxation, while 39% assert that regulation would enhance the safety of bettors. The study surveyed a total of 2,839 individuals from various social strata across Brazil.