The 2025 World Cup spurred a record number of self-exclusions from betting platforms in Brazil, with a 588% increase in blocking requests, highlighting the risks and growing awareness.
The national passion for soccer, amplified during the World Cup, coincided this year with an unprecedented scenario: the consolidation of the online betting market in Brazil, now regulated. With massive advertising and a new legal framework, ‘bets‘ dominated the popular imagination, inviting millions to test their luck and sports knowledge.
However, this fervor brought to light a worrying reality. Exclusive data from the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA) of the Ministry of Finance reveal an ‘explosion’ in requests for self-exclusion from betting platforms. In the first two weeks of the competition, Brazil saw a 588% increase in the daily average of blocking requests, a clear sign that the euphoria of betting is clashing with growing awareness of its risks.
Surge in Self-Exclusion Requests
The SPA‘s findings are stark. Between June 15 and 28, the government’s Centralized Self-Exclusion Platform processed over 250,000 requests to block CPFs (Brazilian individual taxpayer IDs). This translates to an impressive daily average of 17,866 requests, a drastic contrast to the 2,594 daily requests recorded in May, before the tournament. This jump of 211,222 additional requests, even with one less day in the analyzed World Cup period, raises an alarm about the impact of online betting.
The First Regulated World Cup
The 2025 World Cup marked a watershed moment: it was the first major tournament under the regulation of the betting market in Brazil. The intense advertising of ‘bets‘ during this period, coupled with the promotion of the self-exclusion platform, contributed to this scenario. Entities suggest that the increase reflects not only cases of compulsion but also preventive action by users aware of the potential financial and emotional risks.
Shift in Reasons for Self-Exclusion
A detailed analysis by the SPA reveals a change in the reasons for self-exclusion. Before the World Cup, ‘loss of control over gambling’ was the leading reason (43.56%). During the tournament, ‘prevention against data misuse’ jumped to the first position (29.5%), followed by ‘loss of control’ (24.13%). This shift indicates a search for protection against the improper use of personal information, in addition to concerns about addiction itself. The majority opted for indefinite blocking (63.53%).
Contrasting Views
For the National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL) and the Brazilian Institute for Responsible Gaming (IBJR), the increase in self-exclusion is a positive indicator of the use of responsible gaming tools in the regulated market. They emphasize that the self-exclusion platform offers security. However, Lucas Louback, coordinator of the ‘Brazil Against Bets‘ campaign, from the Bonde NGO, classifies the data as alarming, highlighting the spread of compulsive behavior. He emphasizes how the passion for soccer is being contended with by betting advertising.
A Bettor’s Confession
The reality behind the numbers takes on a human face in the story of Bruno, an engineer who self-excluded and is undergoing treatment. He lost R$122,000 (Brazilian Reals) on soccer bets and, due to debts, could no longer afford his São Paulo fan membership. ‘Today, I don’t even like soccer anymore,’ he confesses, revealing the profound impact on his passion. His case illustrates how addiction can transform a beloved sport into a source of suffering.
Gamblers Anonymous Warning
The spokesperson for Gamblers Anonymous, L.C.S., whose identity is protected, reinforces the perception that many sought self-exclusion out of ‘fear of going broke.’ He views the act as a moment of clarity and a possible ‘cry for help.’ The group is already preparing for an increase in outreach in the coming months, expanding its meeting rooms from 30 to over 70 in Brazil, anticipating that the most severe impacts of World Cup betting are yet to come.
A Giant Market and Its Rules
With 25 million bettors and a gross revenue of R$37 billion (Brazilian Reals) in 2025, Brazil has consolidated its position as the fifth largest betting market in the world. Given this scenario and the intense advertising during the World Cup, the federal government acted, implementing new rules for advertisements. Companies must now display warnings about the risks of addiction and financial loss, in addition to prohibiting advertising based on the supposed expertise of commentators and influencers.
The surge in self-exclusion requests during the World Cup is a multifaceted reflection of the impact of online betting in Brazil. On one hand, it celebrates the effectiveness of a crucial citizen protection tool and growing awareness of the dangers of gambling. On the other hand, it resonates as a call to action for the urgency of more robust preventive policies.
While the government tightens the reins on advertising and support entities prepare for a potential wave of help requests, society faces a complex challenge. It’s not enough to offer blocking; it is imperative to discuss how to prevent millions of Brazilians from reaching the point of needing it. The passion for soccer should remain a catalyst for joy and unity, and not a trigger for loss of control and indebtedness, reinforcing the need for balance between entertainment and social responsibility.
