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Brazil food consumption rises following online betting ban
Food retail sales in Brazil saw a significant increase following the implementation of Provisional Measure 1.394/2026, which prohibited fixed-odds betting and online games. According to the Brazilian Supermarket Association (Abras), food sales grew by 6.5% in the first week of October 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, followed by a 6.3% increase in the subsequent week.
The growth was particularly notable in essential items such as rice, oil, pasta, and coffee. Regional data shows the highest increases occurred in the South and in the region comprising Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo, and the interior of Rio de Janeiro, both recording 10.6% growth in the first week of October. The Northeast also saw a 6.5% rise.
Abras attributes this shift to a reduction in household spending on gambling, which has freed up budget for daily necessities. This is supported by Central Bank data showing a decrease in Pix transactions, which fell by approximately 7% to 10% following the ban.
Separately, the Brazilian Congress is currently processing the betting ban through a committee process, facing a bottleneck with 94 pending amendments. While the legislative process continues, the prohibition remains in effect, with the Supreme Federal Court upholding its validity.
Entities
Abras · Assaí Atacadista · Associação Brasileira de Supermercados · BTG Pactual · Banco Central do Brasil · Brazil · Brazilian Association of Supermarkets · Brazilian Supermarket Association · Central Bank of Brazil · Congress of Brazil · IBGE · Marcio Milan