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[HEALTH] · Brazil · 29 sources

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Brazil's SUS faces R$ 30.6 billion annual cost from online betting

Online betting in Brazil is causing significant public health and financial consequences. A study by the Institute for Health Policy Studies (IEPS) estimates that gambling-related health issues cost the Unified Health System (SUS) R$ 30.6 billion annually. This figure includes expenses for treating depression and anxiety, as well as costs associated with suicide deaths. When broader social impacts like job and housing loss are included, the total annual cost could reach R$ 38.8 billion.

Data from the Ministry of Health shows a 140% increase in requests for mental health services related to gambling addiction over the last five years. In response, the Ministry, in partnership with AgSUS, has expanded its tele-assistance capacity from 600 to 100,000 monthly sessions. Additionally, the Ministry of Finance's self-exclusion platform has blocked over 5 million CPFs on authorized sites, with more than 1 million users voluntarily requesting exclusion, many citing mental health concerns.

Research from the Fecomércio Institute (IFec RJ) highlights the regional impact in the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Area, where an estimated 1.9 million people have participated in online betting, moving approximately R$ 182 million monthly. The study notes that 5.1% of bettors have faced debt due to gambling, and many users are driven by the false impression of rapid financial gain.

Entities

Agência Brasileira de Apoio à Gestão do SUS · Banco Central · Brazil · HealthBit · IFec RJ · Instituto Fecomércio de Pesquisas e Análises · Instituto de Estudos para Políticas de Saúde · Jogadores Anônimos · Ministry of Finance · Ministry of Health · Ministério da Fazenda · Ministério da Saúde

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