Brazil's traditional illegal lottery "jogo do bicho" (animal game) is facing unprecedented decline due to the rise of legal online gambling in the country.

The recent legalization of sports betting in 2018 and online casino gaming in January 2025 has dramatically shifted players away from the century-old illegal numbers racket to legitimate digital platforms.

Jogo do bicho, deeply rooted in Brazilian culture since the late 19th century, involves betting on numbers associated with 25 different animals. The game originated as a zoo promotion by Baron João Batista Viana Drummond but quickly evolved into an illegal gambling empire controlled by criminal organizations known as bicheiros.

Despite being illegal since 1895, the game thrived through:

• Street-corner ticket sales
• Acceptance of minimal bet amounts
• Criminal control through bribery and violence
• Community influence through social programs

The criminal enterprises behind jogo do bicho maintained power through:

• Political corruption
• Law enforcement bribery
• Violence and turf wars
• Strategic community investments
• Control of Carnival parades

Now, legal online gambling platforms are attracting Brazilian players with:

• Convenient mobile access
• Larger jackpots
• Modern gaming options
• Digital versions of jogo do bicho
• Regulated, secure environment

This shift to legal online gambling has effectively accomplished what law enforcement couldn't achieve in over 100 years: significantly reducing the influence of one of Brazil's most persistent criminal enterprises.

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