Betting Industry Challenges CNC Report Linking R$143.8 Billion Retail Hit to Online Wagers

Overview

• CNC’s study, released Tuesday, says the surge of online betting since 2023 drained R$143.8 billion from retail sales and coincided with more severe consumer delinquency.
• The confederation estimates Brazilians now spend about R$30 billion a month on betting platforms and that roughly 269,000 families slipped into 90‑day‑plus arrears.
• Researchers used the PEIC consumer debt survey and a differences‑in‑differences model to isolate betting’s impact from a stronger job market and easing inflation, with bigger effects on lower‑income households and men over 35.
• IBJR, which represents licensed operators, sent a formal request Monday for the study’s raw data and models within five business days and cited Banco Central indicators and an LCA report that point to a smaller footprint for betting in household budgets and GDP.
• On Wednesday, the lottery and gaming association ANJL also disputed the findings and pointed to Pay4Fun data showing over half of bettors spent up to R$50 a month, while the CNC said the results warrant tighter consumer protections and advertising limits now under discussion.