The rise of mobile betting apps is shifting traditional gambling habits in Brazil, particularly threatening the infamous 'jogo do bicho,' which has long been a staple of Brazilian culture but also a source of crime.
Digital Gambling Challenges Brazil's Illegal Lottery Dominance
Digital Gambling Challenges Brazil's Illegal Lottery Dominance
The surge in online gambling since its legalization in 2018 poses a threat to Brazil's age-old illegal lottery controlled by criminal factions.
In Brazil, the landscape of gambling is undergoing a significant transformation. With the legalization of online gambling in 2018, digital platforms have rapidly gained popularity, leading to a remarkable shift in betting habits among Brazilians. One woman, Taiza Carine da Costa, reflects on her childhood experiences with the infamous illegal lottery known as "jogo do bicho," or the animal game, that has endured for over a century in the nation's cultural fabric.
Throughout her childhood in Rio de Janeiro, Ms. Costa would often find herself betting with the few coins her godparents provided. This fascination with gambling transitioned into adulthood, as she continued to wager on the lottery during her daily routines. But now, the digital world offers her new avenues for betting. She finds herself drawn to online slot machines like Tigrinho, a game which resembles popular Chinese slot games, leading to an increased frequency of her gambling sessions.
Despite the thrill of potential winnings, Ms. Costa's experience reflects a troubling addiction. Over the past two years, she estimates her losses to be around $80,000, illustrating the risks associated with the boom in online gambling. While the appeal of these digital games captivates many, including lower-income individuals who often place their meager earnings on bets, it raises serious concerns about financial stability and mental health.
The gambling frenzy not only emphasizes an urgent need for regulation to protect vulnerable populations but also threatens the long-standing illegal lottery deeply connected to organized crime in Brazil. Once an unassailable part of Brazilian culture, the fate of "jogo do bicho" hangs in the balance as digital gambling continues to reshape the country’s betting landscape and public habits.
Throughout her childhood in Rio de Janeiro, Ms. Costa would often find herself betting with the few coins her godparents provided. This fascination with gambling transitioned into adulthood, as she continued to wager on the lottery during her daily routines. But now, the digital world offers her new avenues for betting. She finds herself drawn to online slot machines like Tigrinho, a game which resembles popular Chinese slot games, leading to an increased frequency of her gambling sessions.
Despite the thrill of potential winnings, Ms. Costa's experience reflects a troubling addiction. Over the past two years, she estimates her losses to be around $80,000, illustrating the risks associated with the boom in online gambling. While the appeal of these digital games captivates many, including lower-income individuals who often place their meager earnings on bets, it raises serious concerns about financial stability and mental health.
The gambling frenzy not only emphasizes an urgent need for regulation to protect vulnerable populations but also threatens the long-standing illegal lottery deeply connected to organized crime in Brazil. Once an unassailable part of Brazilian culture, the fate of "jogo do bicho" hangs in the balance as digital gambling continues to reshape the country’s betting landscape and public habits.
