The discussion about online betting will gain prominence in 2023, polarizing opinions between caution, advocated by psychologists, and the professionalization of Brazilian bettors.
An exclusive survey carried out for the E-Investidor website, entitled “Future of Online Sports Betting: where we are and where we are going”, carried out by the Futuros Possíveis platform, reveals the intriguing profile of bettors.
Furthermore, the study reveals the predominance of young people and black and brown people in this universe, especially from social classes C, D and E, who see betting as an alternative source of income.
According to Angelica Mari, CEO and co-founder of Futuros Possíveis, this population’s participation in betting is permeated by social and structural nuances.
Data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) highlights the situation, with 55% of the 5.2 million unemployed young people being black and mixed race
.Demographic profile of Brazilian bettors
The research, conducted in partnership with Opinion Box and Afro Esporte, interviewed 1,581 people over the age of 16 who play sports in Brazil.
The results reveal that 40% of self-declared black or brown respondents have already bet at some point, surpassing the 33% of self-declared white people.
Age range
When analyzing the age group, it is observed that, although the 30 to 49 year old group has the highest percentage of gamblers throughout their lives, in-depth research reveals that the 16 to 29 year old population leads (29%) among gamblers common, followed by 24% of the population aged 50 or over.
Motivations and goals
Among those who still bet, 71% seek financial gains, and it is notable that 60% belong to classes C, D and E, revealing a search for alternative income given the lack of opportunities in the traditional market.
Investments and Limits
Although the main objective is to make money, only 1% of those interviewed who continue to be involved in betting say they bet more than R$1,000 per month. The majority (80%) invest modest amounts, up to R$100 in their bets.
Regionalization
Analyzing regionally, the North and South regions of Brazil stand out with 48% of occasional use of online betting, while the Northeast stands out with 32% of frequent participation.
Bet withdrawals
In terms of dropouts, women represent the largest portion (38%), followed by black and brown people (25%). Regionally, the Central-West leads in dropouts (39%), while the Northeast records the lowest rate (29%).
Regulation of online betting and the market
Brazil leads globally in access to betting sites in 2023, with around 30 million bettors moving approximately R$10 billion annually.
Currently, the industry awaits the regulation proposed in July by the federal government. The project defines a tax of between 12% on gross betting revenue.
Even with the regulations, Mia Lopes (CEO of Afro Esporte) and Angelica Mari (Possible Futures) highlight the urgency of financial education, especially for young people from the periphery, emphasizing the risks and the importance of establishing limits when betting online.
