São Paulo survey finds 35% of residents betting online for extra income

A recent FecomercioSP survey shows that 35% of São Paulo’s inhabitants place online bets to supplement household earnings, a rise of ten percentage points since 2024. Participation is highest among those earning up to two minimum wages, with 40% of this group betting for budget relief, compared with 30% of higher‑earning residents.

Respondents cite fun (37%) and entertainment (16%) as primary motives, while 7% admit to gambling addiction. The share viewing betting as an investment fell from 9% in 2024 to 5% in 2026. Betting frequency is split between daily (14.5%), weekly (23%), monthly (13%) and occasional (49%). Most bettors spend modest sums: 54% spend up to R$ 50 per month, 16% up to R$ 100, and 12% up to R$ 200.

Financial strain is evident: 12% of bettors have sought external help, with 5% borrowing from friends or family and 4% taking bank loans. Concurrently, 72.9% of São Paulo families are in debt, the highest in three years. FecomercioSP urges authorities to implement stricter regulation and monitoring of online gambling platforms, especially illegal sites.