In brief
As digital gambling surges in popularity following its legalization in Brazil, traditional lottery games controlled by criminal organizations are losing ground. Players like Taiza Carine da Costa are gravitating toward mobile apps, highlighting a significant shift in gambling habits and posing challenges to established illegal lotteries.
Taiza Carine da Costa’s journey into the world of gambling began at the tender age of nine. Growing up on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro, her godparents would send her to place bets on an illegal yet deeply ingrained lottery system, commonly known as “jogo do bicho” or the animal game, which has been a fixture in Brazilian society for over a century. This early introduction left a lasting impression, leading her to regularly bet on this lottery throughout her adult life, driven by dreams that she interpreted as signs to wager on specific numbers.However, a new trend has emerged, steering her attention away from the traditional lottery to a digital frontier where mobile gaming reigns. Da Costa now finds herself captivated by “Tigrinho”—a digital slot machine resembling a popular Chinese game that has taken the Brazilian online gambling scene by storm since the government legalized digital gambling in 2018. She admits to daily gameplay, which has resulted in staggering financial losses totaling approximately $80,000 over the past two years.This digital gambling frenzy has ignited significant discussions in Brazil, mirroring debates occurring globally about how best to regulate this rapidly expanding industry. Concerns are being raised over the impact on lower-income individuals who might find themselves in crushing debt due to gambling losses, as online platforms offer an enticing array of games round-the-clock.As online betting becomes ubiquitous—encompassing everything from casinos to sports wagering—the traditional animal lottery, notorious for its connections to violent criminal organizations, finds itself under siege. What began in the 1800s in Rio as a popular pastime faces an existential threat from the convenience and lure of digital alternatives, leading many to wonder if the days of criminal gangs controlling such lotteries are numbered.
