Brazil's traditional "animal lottery" (jogo do bicho) is losing ground to legal online gambling, weakening one of the country's oldest organized crime enterprises.

The recent legalization of online sports betting (2018) and casino gaming (January 2024) has dramatically shifted gambling preferences in Brazil. Players are abandoning the illegal street-corner betting system for legitimate digital platforms offering greater convenience and larger potential winnings.

Jogo do bicho, which translates to "animal game," has been deeply rooted in Brazilian culture since the late 19th century. The game allows players to bet on number combinations associated with 25 different animals, often influenced by their dreams. Created by "Baron" João Batista Viana Drummond at the Rio di Janeiro Zoo as a promotional raffle, it quickly evolved into a widespread underground gambling network.

Despite being illegal since 1895, the game thrived under the control of gambling bosses known as bicheiros, who maintained their power through a combination of violence, corruption, and community patronage. They traditionally funded local carnival parades and distributed gifts during holidays while engaging in money laundering, bribery, and violent turf wars.

Now, licensed online operators are capturing the market by offering modern versions of the traditional animal game alongside international casino games and sports betting options. According to Rio historian Luiz Antônio Simas, the traditional game has failed to attract younger players, suggesting a significant shift in Brazil's gambling landscape.

This transition from illegal to regulated gambling represents a major disruption to organized crime's revenue streams, potentially achieving what law enforcement has struggled to accomplish for over a century.

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