Breno, a 37-year-old entrepreneur identified by a fictitious name, reports having lost his house, time with his children, and his marriage due to a gambling addiction. He claims it all started seven years ago, when he was motivated by friends who are digital influencers to start gambling, initially with sports betting and then with virtual games.
During the period he was involved with gambling, Breno lived a life of parties, events, gifts, and much luxury, while spending all his money on the games. This phase of apparent prosperity masked the devastating progress of the addiction on his finances and his family relationships.
The entrepreneur lost everything he had, both financially and in terms of family time. Currently, he is trying to recover with the help of the Gamblers Anonymous group, seeking support to overcome the addiction that destroyed his previous life.
Breno acknowledges that the digital influencer friends were what "pulled him into" this world, since they make videos and post photos presenting gambling as something glamorous and desirable.
