Os impactos socioeconômicos dos jogos de apostas entre estudantes do Instituto de Ciências Sociais Aplicadas da Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora - Campus Governador Valadares

Abstract

This study analyzes the socioeconomic impacts of online gambling among university students at the Institute of Applied Social Sciences of the Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora – Campus Governador Valadares. The research discusses the popularization of sports betting in Brazil following the regulation of fixed-odds betting, as well as the influence of social media and digital influencers on the dissemination of this practice among young people. Based on an interdisciplinary analysis of behavior, consumption, and addiction, the study adopts a qualitative approach, developed through field research using electronic questionnaires. The results indicate that online betting is already part of the reality of a significant portion of young people, many of whom gamble frequently motivated by the expectation of financial gains. The study also identified the strong influence of social media in bringing this audience closer to betting platforms, highlighting the role of these media in promoting and normalizing gambling practices. This scenario reinforces concerns regarding the impacts of digital betting on young people's behavior and financial decision-making. Furthermore, a relationship was identified between income level and betting behavior, indicating that lower-income students tend to gamble more frequently. In many cases, this practice is associated with the expectation of obtaining supplementary income; however, these individuals also report significant emotional and psychological impacts resulting from gambling activities. The data further reveal that the effects of betting are perceived mainly in students' mental health, surpassing the reported academic losses. It is concluded that online gambling constitutes a complex phenomenon associated with economic, social, and psychological issues, requiring greater public debate, preventive policies, and financial education initiatives aimed at young people.