Brazil's 'animal lottery' defeated by online gaming

Posted: January 13, 2025, 05:52 pm.

Last updated: January 13, 2025, 06:19 pm.

Brazil's new online gambling market appears to have achieved what a century of government prosecutors have failed to do – dismantling the country's mafia-controlled numbers racket.

Brazilians are increasingly rejecting the previously popular but illegal “jogo do bicho” – or “animal game” – for the convenience and big jackpot potential of mobile slots and digital sports betting.

Online gambling has exploded in popularity in Brazil since the legalization of sports betting in 2018. And from January 1 this year, the government has started licensing and regulating online casino gaming.

The newly regulated market has the potential to soon become one of the largest in the world, and has raised concerns about negative social impacts in Brazil.

But an unexpected social benefit appears to be the near-elimination of an important mafia revenue stream.

different animals

Jogo do bicho has long been deeply ingrained in Brazilian culture. Tickets are still sold on almost every street corner, while those controlling the games are known bookmakerFully involved in bribery, money laundering and murder.

The game invites players to bet on combinations of numbers that are associated with one of 25 different animals. Players sometimes choose their bets based on an animal that recently appeared to them in a dream.

The game was created in the late 19th century by João Batista Viana Drummond, an English “baron” who was awarded the concession to operate the Rio de Janeiro Zoo.

But the lottery soon became even more popular than the zoo and copycat games sprang up across the city. This game was a big hit because bookmaker At a time when most Brazilians were very poor, bets of any amount were accepted.

turf war

Jogo do bicho was first criminalized in 1895, but its popularity persisted. By the 1970s, gambling bosses were engaged in a bloody war, bribing politicians, judges, and law enforcement to protect their interests.

At the same time, they were buying the affection of the local populace by paying for carnival parades and distributing gifts at Christmas. the new York Times.

And those operators have done their homework. Their lobby offers online versions of Jogo do Bicho as well as a myriad of other games that are proving more attractive to Brazilians.