Datafolha poll shows only 7% of Brazilians place online bets

A Datafolha survey reveals that 7% of Brazilian voters aged 18 and older currently place bets.

The majority (93%) state they do not engage in this type of betting. The full survey data indicate greater financial responsibility among the population and a reduction in the proportion of income committed to betting. Average monthly spending on online casinos is BRL232 ($46.40), down from BRL354, representing a 34% decrease.

In November 2024, 7% also reported placing this type of bet, compared to 93% who did not. Among those who currently consider themselves in debt, 6% place bets—a figure close to that observed in the general population.

The survey was conducted on 20 and 21 May with 2,004 voters aged 18 and older across 139 cities. The margin of error for the total sample is plus or minus 2.0 percentage points.

Among those who currently place some type of bet, men stand out (11%) compared to women (3%), as do those aged 18 to 24 (13%).

Reduction in financial exposure

One-third (35%) of those who currently bet or have bet at some point have compromised their finances to place bets (compared to 44% in 2024).

It is evident that bettors use, or have used, various means to fund their gambling habits. 19% have used savings (22% in 2024), while 11% forewent a purchase to use that money for betting (down from 19%).

Among the respondents, 10% placed bets using a credit card (down from 15%), 8% borrowed money (down from 15%), and 6% missed a bill payment (down from 13%).

The survey indicated that 5% defaulted on payments (unchanged at 5%) and 2% sold an item to fund their bets (down from 5%). Due to the small size of this group, the margin of error is 6 percentage points; consequently, the figures remain stable.

The average amount spent on online betting is BRL241, compared to BRL216 in 2024 and BRL268 in 2023. One-quarter (27%) spontaneously reported spending up to BRL30 per month (32% in 2024 and 27% in 2023).

24% of respondents spend between BRL31 and BRL50 per month (17% in 2024, 19% in 2023); 19% spend between BRL51 and BRL100 (24% and 20%); and 28% spend more than BRL100 (24% and 28%).

34% drop in online casinos

Average spending on online casinos is BRL232, down from BRL 354, a 34% reduction.

Three out of ten respondents (29%) spend up to BRL30 per month on online casinos (up from 23%).

13% of respondents spend between BRL30 and BRL50 per month online (up from 10%). Some 18% of those surveyed report spending between BRL50 and BRL100 per month (the same figure as before). 28% of respondents fall into the BRL101 to BRL500 range (up from 27%). Meanwhile, 10% wager more than BRL500 (down from 13%).

Given that 7% of Brazilians place bets, it can be concluded that the sector is not the primary cause of indebtedness. Added to this is the fact that there has been a decrease in the proportion of income committed to this activity.