Three out of ten companies are concerned about their employees' sports betting habits.
Three out of ten companies are concerned about their employees' sports betting habits. This is according to a survey by It'sSeg, from Acrisure, conducted with 205 companies of various sizes and sectors. According to the consultancy, since August there has been a greater demand from companies for lectures, guidance, and psychological support.
“Our clients are very interested in understanding how they should deal with this type of issue. In most cases, they want to understand what they should do to guide employees in their workplaces and prevent them from developing any kind of addiction to online games and betting,” explains Danilo Nakandakare, physician and superintendent of health management at It'sSeg.
According to Danilo, the main impacts that excessive gambling can have on a person are addiction, financial loss, and compromised mental health. “People who make it a habit end up not realizing that this practice is triggering an addiction. This dependence can cause a series of problems, such as high debt, anxiety, stress, depression, social isolation, loss of productivity, and even disinterest in work,” he warns.
According to the expert, people immersed in this relentless wave of gambling often exhibit inappropriate behaviors that fall outside the standards of a healthy work environment. The main warning signs are:
– Be alert to unusual behavior: excessive use of cell phones and conversations about gambling, coupled with a drop in performance or increased absenteeism, may indicate problems with online gambling.
– Frequent financial requests: requests for salary advances or loan applications may indicate financial difficulties caused by gambling.
– Voluntary resignation: this is rare, but some people may find that leaving the company offers a "quick fix" for their difficulties, such as using severance pay to pay off debts.
Several actions can help to inhibit or minimize this type of behavior in companies. Wallace Souza, Coordinator of Health and Well-being Promotion at It'sSeg, offers some recommendations:
- Continuous awareness:
It is important to maintain awareness about the impact of sports betting through lectures and educational materials that address financial and emotional risks.
- Offer support:
Provide support through partnerships with financial advisors to assist in restructuring finances, as well as providing information on benefits and psychological support programs.
- Monitoring:
Implement a confidential system so employees can seek help without fear of exposure. Monitor signs and statements that may indicate excessive gambling or stress, in order to offer preventative support.
“It is essential that companies are attentive to the signs of financial and emotional problems that can affect their employees. Sports betting addiction is a growing challenge, but with the right support, it is possible to prevent more serious consequences. By promoting a supportive environment, offering resources and financial education, we can help employees face these difficulties in a healthy way,” concludes Wallace.
About It'sSeg
It'sSeg, owned by Acrisure, is a brokerage, consulting, and benefits administration company founded in 2014 through the integration of already established brokerage firms. Currently, it has 14 associated companies that, together, manage over 2,1 million lives and R$ 5,4 billion in annual revenue. Since 2022, it has played a role within the international Acrisure group, being the first acquisition in Latin America.
