SÃO PAULO - Stories of believers getting caught up in sports betting, or "bets," are becoming increasingly common. "We have the case of a young man who had 90 reais and went out to dinner with his girlfriend. The bill was higher, so he went to the bathroom and bet the 90 reais. He lost everything," says Apostle Estevam Hernandes of the Renascer em Cristo church.

Despite most churches condemning gambling, pastors are noticing a growing trend of their congregants getting hooked on sports betting, particularly among evangelical Christians. A study conducted in 181 Brazilian municipalities has shown that evangelicals are more inclined to engage in online gambling and accumulate significant debts.

Tania Martins Vieira, a 48-year-old church member, struggled with a gambling addiction that cost her half a million reais. She credits her faith with helping her recover. "The churches that adhere to the Prosperity Theology believe that God is a shortcut to prosperity," says Pastor Filipe Scarcella, who has dealt with gambling addiction among his congregation.

Bishop Renato Cardoso, seen as the likely successor to Edir Macedo at the Universal Church, argues that wanting to be rich is not inherently evil. "Unless it turns into greed and distances a person from God," he says.

Celebrating Recovery is a Christian-oriented therapeutic program inspired by the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous. The Água Branca Baptist Church in central São Paulo hosts group meetings with 350 participants.