Brazil’s regulated betting market recorded nearly 10 million active users in March, according to data from the Federal Government’s Betting Management System (SIGAP), with Rio de Janeiro emerging as the leading hub for activity.
The data shows that 9,562,818 individuals placed bets during the month, with Rio de Janeiro accounting for 1,793,348 registered users. The figure places the city ahead of São Paulo, which recorded 715,256 active users despite having a significantly larger population.
The concentration of activity in Rio highlights how betting engagement is unevenly distributed across the country, with certain regions showing higher levels of adoption.
According to the state lottery authority Loterj, the trend is attributed to a combination of structural and behavioral factors, including strong cultural ties to sports, widespread mobile access and high exposure to betting-related advertising.
The state regulator has positioned itself as an early mover in shaping the local betting environment, developing frameworks aimed at balancing market growth with oversight.
Among the initiatives highlighted is the planned introduction of Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) in sports bar environments, combining physical and digital gambling experiences.
The data also comes as authorities continue to refine oversight mechanisms and monitor user behavior, particularly in the context of financial impact and responsible gambling measures.
According to the President of Loterj, Fabíola Esteves, this is a strategic moment to consolidate the state's leading role.
“Rio de Janeiro has unique characteristics: a sporting tradition, a vocation for tourism, and an advanced regulatory environment. By structuring the market responsibly, we can attract investments, generate jobs, and transform this activity into concrete benefits for the population,” she stated.
Loterj has been invited to join a UN Tourism initiative, becoming the first Brazilian gambling authority to participate in the organization’s network
