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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Mauricio Savarese and Lucas Dumphreys

Sports betting addiction takes hold in Brazil where armed loan sharks rule

Betting company advertisements adorn a soccer field during a training program run by non-governmental organization "Cara a Cara" in the Complexo do Alemao favela, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

“King” doesn’t disclose his real name. Even clients of his Sao Paulo newsstand have to call him by his moniker. The Brazilian online sports gambling addict lowered his profile after a loan shark threatened to put bullets in his head if he didn’t pay up.

Broke and embarrassed, King sought treatment and support earlier this year.

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