The 2025 São Paulo Grand Prix wrapped up this Sunday at Interlagos, but the action extended far beyond the racetrack. Formula 1 has evolved from a motorsport spectacle into a major driver of the global sports betting economy, and Brazil’s round proved once again how powerful that synergy can be.
The legal and ethical limits between sport and betting advertising, when the line blurs.
With more than 300,000 fans attending the weekend’s sessions and millions tuning in worldwide, sportsbooks across Latin America saw a sharp rise in betting volume. According to regional operators like Betano and Bet365, F1 wagers surged nearly 40 % in Brazil compared to 2024, driven by growing digital engagement and real-time mobile betting.
The country’s recent regulation of online betting has opened the floodgates for legal operators, and events like the São Paulo GP are quickly becoming anchors for the legalized betting industry. Local economists estimate that the race generates over R$ 2 billion (≈ US $380 million) in direct and indirect revenue, including tourism, hospitality, and betting-related transactions.
Beyond Brazil, the same pattern is seen wherever Formula 1 races land — from Monaco and Singapore to Las Vegas. Each circuit acts as a temporary economic engine, with betting platforms leveraging in-play markets for fastest lap, pit-stop timing, safety-car appearances, and podium predictions. The integration of analytics, live odds, and AI-powered prediction tools has made F1 betting one of the fastest-growing verticals in the global wagering market.
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Experts from the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) estimate that motorsport betting now represents over 6 % of all global sportsbook revenue, up from 3 % in 2020. And while football and tennis still dominate the charts, Formula 1’s year-round global calendar and star-driven drama are helping it carve out a premium niche for high-value bettors.
For Brazil, this race weekend was not only about speed and sound but also about digital transformation and financial traction. São Paulo’s local authorities expect tourism spending to grow by 15 % compared to last year, and betting activity is fast becoming part of that ecosystem — from fan zones featuring licensed operators to mobile campaigns targeting international spectators.
In a sport built on milliseconds and precision, it’s no surprise that data and betting have found common ground. Formula 1 isn’t just about who takes the checkered flag anymore — it’s about how every turn, pit stop, and strategy move translates into odds, engagement, and an industry that continues to accelerate at full throttle.
