Brazil Labor Court Upholds Dismissal for Online Betting During Work

A Brazilian labor court confirmed the termination of an office assistant who placed online bets on a mobile phone while on duty and posted the winnings on social media. The 2ª Vara do Trabalho de Barueri applied article 482 of the Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT) to justify the just cause dismissal, noting violation of internal company rules.

A survey by the consultancy It’sSeg (Acrisure Brasil) found that one in three Brazilian firms are concerned about gambling’s impact on productivity, prompting many to block betting sites on corporate networks and promote financial‑education programs. Courts have sometimes reversed dismissals when employees are diagnosed with ludopathy (gaming addiction), treating it as a mental disorder comparable to substance dependence. In such cases, tribunals have ordered double salary payments, FGTS with penalties, and other severance benefits. The Ministry of Health reports a 140% rise in demand for treatment of gambling addiction through the public health system over the past five years.