Online betting: 25% of Brazilians would take loans to play, says study of Possible Futures

Future Possibilities, a platform for intelligence on futures, presents the report "Future of Online Betting: Where We Are and Where We're Going," the second edition of its study on Brazilian habits and perceptions regarding the online betting market, popularly known as "bets." 

Conducted in partnership with Opinion Box, the research surveyed 2,023 people of different age groups and social classes across Brazil, revealing the profiles and motivations behind online betting, as well as potential socioeconomic risks. For 60% of those surveyed, losing all their invested betting money in the future would negatively affect their personal finances.

Another finding pointing to potential socioeconomic risks is the tendency to take out loans to support gambling habits. In the next 12 months, 25% of respondents considered resorting to loans to continue gambling, an especially high indicator for Generation Z, who lead this statistic with 45%.

Seen as a potential source of financial gain by the majority (38%), betting acts as a source of financial leverage for respondents. Among those hoping that bets will improve their household budgets, classes D and E account for 32%, exceeding the AB classes, which account for 21%.

"Online betting markets have grown rapidly in Brazil, but this growth reflects socioeconomic inequalities that cannot be ignored," says Angelica Mari, CEO and co-founder of Futuros Possíveis. "The study reveals the urgency of financial awareness and the need for stronger regulation to protect society from the risks of this phenomenon."

The report also explores behavioral differences based on gender and social class. Men tend to bet more frequently and with higher stakes, while women are the majority among those who have never placed a bet. Furthermore, the research identified that Class C is the group most seeking financial gain through betting, while Classes D and E experience the highest propensity for incurring debt to maintain the habit.

Gender and social class differences highlight the extent of the impact of betting on Brazil and require close scrutiny. While men are enjoying betting more than women, they are also more likely to take out loans in the next 12 months to maintain the practice," analyzes Marcelo Gripa, COO and co-founder of Futuros Possíveis. "This is a sign that entertainment can turn into debt without proper care."

The report includes other findings, such as:

• Motivations behind the bids: 38% bets are made with the aim of financial gain; 27% to try their luck; and 17%, for entertainment.
• Frequency and expenses: Men bet more frequently and with higher stakes; women are the majority among those who have never bet.
• Risk and Debt: Gen Z and D-Class individuals are more likely to take out loans to keep betting.
• ValuesThe majority bet less than R$1,000 per bet; women are the majority in bets in this range (70% vs 59% of men).

"We hope this study is an important step towards initiating a broader dialogue about the impact of online gambling in Brazil, considering the financial, social, and mental health aspects of these practices," says Andreza Maia, co-founder and director of influence at Futuros Possíveis."

"These data can support dialogue about public policies that promote financial literacy and offer support to the most vulnerable populations, who are often the most affected by online gambling," she concludes.

Data collection for the study was conducted between September 18th and 25th, and the margin of error is 2.2 percentage points. For more information, please access the full report: https://futurospossiveis.rds.land/futuro-das-apostas-online24