Published on 08/11/2024 10:35
Reading time: 1min – video: 2min
Brazil: the scourge of online sports betting
In Brazil, the lack of regulation of online betting platforms is ruining the lives of many residents.
In Rio de Janeiro there is Corcovado and football, the greatest symbol of which is King Pelé. A sport that generates a lot of money, particularly thanks to online betting. In Brazil, tens of millions of people play it. Legal for six years, online betting sites are very numerous and accessible. “I was constantly on my phone, almost 24 hours a day. At work, my boss noticed.”declares Fernanda, a Brazilian who wished to remain anonymous. Like many compulsive gamblers, she initially thought that these bets would pay off big.
In Rio, a psychology and addiction center welcomes mainly female patients. Among these women who practiced online betting, some escaped after long discussions. “Requests for psychological help are on the rise“, indicates Anna Lucia King, psychologist and addictologist. Sports betting is now in the sights of the authorities, who would like to regulate them more and limit their access.
Watch the full report in the video above.
