IBJR challenges link between betting ban and supermarket sales growth in Brazil

The Brazilian Supermarket Association (ABRAS) has linked stronger food purchases in October to Brazil’s betting prohibition, an interpretation challenged by the betting industry’s representative body over the lack of evidence establishing causation. ABRAS reported year-on-year sales growth of 6.5% between October 5 and 11 and 6.3% between October 12 and 18, with increases across the regions and store formats surveyed. The association suggested that some money previously spent on betting may have been redirected towards household purchases following the prohibition.