BBC World Service - The Documentary Podcast, Brazil’s gambling addiction Homepage Accessibility links * Skip to content * Accessibility Help Close menu BBC World Service The Documentary Podcast * Podcast * The Explanation * People Fixing the World * CrowdScience Main content Listen now Brazil’s gambling addiction The Documentary Podcast Millions of Brazilians have become problem gamblers after an explosion in online betting - with a particularly big increase in women seeking help for betting problems. Show more The figures are startling - 2.1 million Brazilians have a clinical addiction to betting and 7.5 million are problem gamblers. Women now comprise 40% of all gamblers, having been 25% just a decade ago. Online sports and casino betting have exploded in Brazil to make it one of the largest gambling markets in the world. The self-help group Gamblers Anonymous says it is receiving thousands of calls each month and millions of Brazilians are estimated be suffering financial, emotional or relationship problems as a result of betting. Camilla Mota talks to football fans in Sao Paulo about why they are gambling on their team’s result. She speaks to a man who gambled away $75, 000 on a corporate credit card, a businesswoman who locked herself in the toilet of her family home in order to bet in secret and meets two psychiatrists offering treatment to addicts at a special clinic. What can be done to protect problem gamblers and avoid driving legal gambling underground? **This edition of Assignment was updated on 25 August to correct the title** Show less Download Choose your file * Higher quality (128kbps) * Lower quality (64kbps) Release date: 25 August 2026 Available now 27 minutes More episodes See all episodes from The Documentary Podcast Featured * . Podcast * The Documentary Podcast Hear the voices at the heart of global stories Related Content Similar programmes By genre: * Factual By format: * Documentaries * Podcasts * Online schedule * Help & FAQs * Contact us * News in more than 40 languages * Terms of Use * About the BBC * Privacy Policy * Privacy Policy * Cookies * Cookies * Accessibility Help * Parental Guidance * Contact the BBC * Make an editorial complaint * Careers * BBC emails for you * Advertise with us Copyright (c) 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.