Brazil Sports Betting Trends Show Football Dominance

A recent survey conducted by Grupo Globo in collaboration with Offerwise sheds light on Brazilian sports betting trends, revealing both entrenched preferences and emerging interests among bettors. The study surveyed 1,000 adults, including bettors and non-bettors, to map engagement with various sports and the growing diversification within the betting landscape.

Football Maintains Dominance
Men’s football remains Brazil’s top betting choice, commanding 76% preference among respondents. Its cultural and media presence, combined with extensive online coverage, cements its position far ahead of other sports. Women’s football is showing notable growth, securing 31% in the ranking, reflecting increased visibility, stronger league structures and broader media attention.

Basketball (23%) continues to appeal, particularly among younger audiences familiar with domestic and U.S. leagues, followed by volleyball (19%), which benefits from Brazil’s strong international tradition.

Digital and Online-Oriented Sports on the Rise
The study highlights a steady rise in digital-first sports and competitive games. Poker captures 17% of bettors’ interest, demonstrating its dual role as a strategic game and a gateway into online betting. MMA, fueled by popular Brazilian athletes, holds 15%, while eSports reaches 12%, reflecting growing engagement from younger, digitally native audiences. These trends suggest that Brazil’s betting market is gradually embracing alternative categories alongside traditional sports.

Lower-Ranked Sports Show Niche Appeal
Some disciplines, while culturally significant, remain outside the betting mainstream. Motorsports including Formula 1, Rally and NASCAR rank 13th with 9% support. Despite their global profile and dedicated fan bases, these sports attract less betting activity compared with football or basketball, highlighting a clear divide between spectator interest and wagering behavior.

Market Implications: Tradition Meets Innovation
The survey illustrates a market defined by hierarchical preferences, with football clearly leading, but also marked by diversification in digital-native and hybrid sports. This balance between established favorites and emerging categories indicates evolving consumer behavior, shaping opportunities for operators, marketers and sports organizations across Brazil’s regulated betting sector.