Ban on gambling in Brazil lays off 500 in betting call centers.
Betting companies and third-party contractors in the sector have already begun layoffs following the enactment of a provisional measure that banned fixed-odds betting in Brazil. One of the country's leading betting companies dismissed 500 employees who worked in its call center, according to Folha de S.Paulo.
Companies contracted for sponsorship activities and events at football clubs were the first to be affected. But large betting houses also began cutting jobs. A study by LCA Consultores Econômicos and Cruz Consulting estimates that the sector could lose a total of 15,5 jobs.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed the provisional measure this Thursday (September 25). The government also sent a bill to Congress that provides for a prison sentence of four to six years for those who exploit gambling in the country.
Popular support and market data
The ban has broad public approval. A Datafolha poll shows that 78% of Brazilians are in favor of ending gambling, while 18% oppose it. Support is widespread across all sociodemographic segments evaluated, with a higher rate among women (82%), compared to 74% among men.
In the labor market, the 2024 Annual Social Information Report (RAIS) identified 67 formal occupations in the sector. The number of employees with formal contracts tripled that year. The average monthly salary reached R$ 7.000 for directly hired workers and R$ 4.000 for outsourced workers, well above the national average of R$ 3.200 recorded during the period.
Betano's position
In a statement released this Friday (October 2nd), Betano stated that it is complying with the provisions of the provisional measure. The company, one of the largest betting houses operating in Brazil, however, expressed reservations about the scope of the decision.
“However, we believe that this measure represents an abrupt interruption in the path of building and evolving the regulated online betting market in Brazil and jeopardizes important advances made in recent years, especially in consumer protection, combating the illegal market, generating tax revenue for the country, and providing the legal security necessary for long-term investments,” the company stated.
