A dispute has emerged over whether Brazil's shutdown of regulated betting caused a rise in supermarket spending. The Brazilian Supermarket Association, known as ABRAS, connected stronger October food sales with the restriction, while the Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming said the available figures do not establish causation.
ABRAS recorded annual growth of 6.5% from October 5 to 11 and 6.3% in the following week. The association said gains appeared across regions and store formats, with essential products among the stronger categories, according to Agência Brasil.
IBJR responded that the timing alone does not demonstrate that money previously used for betting moved into groceries. Its challenge, reported by G3 Newswire, calls for evidence that isolates the shutdown from income, inflation, seasonal purchases and other influences.
Earlier ABRAS figures complicate a direct comparison. UOL's review found that sales value was already 7.9% higher year on year during September 14 to 20, before betting sites went offline. The data therefore confirm growth in food retail but do not determine how much, if any, resulted from the prohibition.
