Organizzazione per il gioco d'azzardo in Brasile contesta la ricerca che sostiene un legame tra scommesse e abbandono degli studenti
In the rapidly evolving landscape of Brazil's online betting market, a heated debate is unfolding, particularly around the potential social impacts, including concerns about how gambling affects education [1].
The Brazilian Association of Higher Education Providers (ABMES) and the National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL) are the key players in this debate. ABMES, representing educational institutions, expresses concerns about the impact of online gambling on students, while ANJL, representing the gaming and lottery industry, advocates for a regulated, responsible gaming environment.
ABMES' typical concerns focus on student financial vulnerability, addiction and mental health, and the normalization of gambling. They argue that easy access to online betting could lead to significant financial losses, debt, and distraction from academic pursuits, and that gambling addiction can negatively affect mental health, academic performance, and overall well-being. They also fear that aggressive advertising and sponsorship by betting companies, especially in sports, could normalize gambling, leading to increased participation among students [2].
On the other hand, ANJL emphasizes the need for regulation, arguing that a well-regulated market, with clear rules on advertising and responsible gambling measures, can protect consumers, including students. They highlight the economic benefits of the industry, including tax revenues and job creation, which could indirectly support education and public services. ANJL also promises self-regulation and responsible gambling initiatives, such as age verification, self-exclusion programs, and advertising restrictions targeting vulnerable groups [1].
Recently, ABMES published a study on the impact of online gambling on education in Brazil. The study claims that up to 2.9 million potential students might not enroll in private universities in the first half of 2026, largely due to income issues tied to gambling habits. One headline figure from the study states that 34% of students surveyed admitted they would have needed to stop gambling in order to begin their studies in the first semester of 2025. The study also notes that 14% of students already enrolled in college had either fallen behind on tuition or dropped out entirely due to betting expenses [3].
However, ANJL questions the structure and messaging of the study, suggesting that some data points were left out of public discussion. They argue that 79% of students surveyed said that gambling did not prevent them from investing in their studies. ANJL also notes that across all income brackets, most people spent less than 5% of their total income on betting. Moreover, they reject the idea that there is a direct relationship between gambling and dropping out of or continuing a higher education programme [3].
The ongoing tensions between Brazil's growing betting industry and education advocates were highlighted in the back-and-forth between ABMES and ANJL. For instance, ABMES general director Paulo Chanan stood by the report's conclusions, stating that online gambling had become "an additional obstacle to accessing higher education." In response, ANJL emphasized that a finding from the report stating more than 70% of participants recovered money spent on gambling when they played again was not featured in media coverage [3].
This debate occurs against a backdrop of significant changes in Brazil’s regulatory environment for gambling, including the introduction of a new licensing regime and recent proposals for steep tax hikes on the industry [2][3]. While the main regulatory focus has been on integrity, financial transparency, and taxation, the social impact—especially on education—remains a topic of public and legislative interest.
| Stakeholder | Typical Claims/Concerns | Proposed Solutions | |------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------| | ABMES (Education) | Il gioco d'azzardo danneggia la finanza degli studenti, la salute mentale e gli studi | Regole pubblicitarie più severe, campagne educative | | ANJL (Industria) | La regolamentazione protegge i consumatori, sostiene l'economia | Gioco responsabile, verifiche dell'età, autoesclusione |
