Zona de Azar Brazil – 65% of Brazilians Support Online Betting Ban

Brazil.- November 26, 2024. www.zonadeazar.com The majority of the Brazilian population (65%) opposes the legalization of online betting, commonly known as bets.

There is also strong rejection of advertisements for these games: 71% believe such ads should be banned. These findings are from a Datafolha survey published on Saturday (23).

The study surveyed 1,935 people face-to-face in 113 municipalities across all regions of the country in November, considering gender, age, religion, and mental health perspectives. The margin of error is two percentage points, with a 95% confidence interval.

Rejection of Activities
The support for banning online betting rises to 78% when the question includes gambling machines like virtual slot games (e.g., ‘Jogo do Tigrinho’). Only 27% support legalization, while 8% had no opinion.

The study revealed higher rejection rates among women (68%), compared to men (61%). Age also influences perception, with the strongest opposition (81%) among those aged 60 and older.

Between evangelicals and Catholics, the rejection rates are similar, with 66% and 63%, respectively. Regarding mental health, 54% see online betting as an addiction.

Against Advertisements
Disapproval is even stronger (71%) when the focus shifts to ads for online betting sites. Among women, the rate is 75%, compared to 67% among men.

Religious resistance is highest among evangelicals (74%) and Catholics (72%), with 59% believing online gambling harms society. Social media is perceived by 32% as the biggest driver of these activities.

Public Health
In October, the Ministry of Health expanded assistance for individuals addicted to betting, responding to the rise in online gambling. A University of São Paulo (USP) study estimates about 2 million people in Brazil are addicted to gambling.

Health Minister Nísia Trindade announced enhanced actions by Family Health Teams, focusing on prevention. “Educational programs are crucial, such as integrating this issue into the School Health Program,” said Trindade.

She also proposed a new international classification for gambling-related diseases, highlighting the need for specific treatment measures for online games.

Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS) offers support for gambling addiction, mainly through the Psychosocial Care Network (RAPS), which includes Psychosocial Care Centers (CAPS).

Edited by: Geisa Marques | www.zonadeazar.com