Betano Owner Kaizen Guarantees Brazil Jobs Until Congress Decides on Gambling Ban

Kaizen Gaming, owner of Betano, has guaranteed that its Brazilian employees will retain their jobs until Congress completes its consideration of the provisional measure banning fixed-odds betting and online casino gaming.

The company made the commitment in a statement published on October 12, responding to the shutdown of a regulated market that had operated for less than two years.

Kaizen said it would comply fully with the current law while maintaining its commitment to Brazil and completing previously agreed social investments.

The pledge distinguishes Betano from several operators that have already announced layoffs or closed Brazilian operations following the ban.

Jobs Protected While Congress Reviews MP 1,394

Brazil's regulated online gambling market was shut down after Provisional Measure No. 1,394/2026 was published on September 25.

The measure is currently before Congress, which can approve, amend or reject it. The current congressional timetable provides for deliberation through November 23. 

Kaizen told its Brazilian employees that their positions would remain protected until that legislative process reaches a conclusion.

The company did not specify what would happen to staffing if Congress ultimately maintains the prohibition.

Betano was one of the largest operators in Brazil before the shutdown and had built a substantial local operation around marketing, technology, customer service, compliance and other functions.

Kaizen Points to R$7.3B in First-Half Tax Revenue

Kaizen argued that the regulated market had already produced measurable benefits since its formal launch in January 2025.

The company highlighted responsible gambling measures including self-exclusion, betting limits and protections affecting recipients of government social benefits.

It also pointed to the industry's contribution to public finances.

Federal tax revenue associated with betting companies reached approximately R$7.3 billion ($1.46 billion) in the first half of 2026. The figure covers multiple federal taxes and contributions linked to the sector, rather than only the specific levy on gambling GGR.

Kaizen estimates that the market had been on course to generate approximately R$15 billion ($3 billion) in federal revenue during the full year before the prohibition interrupted operations.

Betano Warns Players Could Move Offshore

The central argument in Kaizen's statement is that prohibiting licensed operators does not necessarily eliminate demand for gambling.

The company warned that players could instead migrate back to unlicensed platforms operating without the responsible gambling, tax and regulatory requirements imposed on Brazil's former authorised operators.

"Betting involves real risks. Prohibition is not protection. Protection comes from rules, oversight and education," the company said.

Kaizen presented the position as an argument for regulation rather than direct criticism of the government.

It also emphasised that it would respect the current legal framework while Congress considers the future of the provisional measure.

Statement Avoids Supreme Court Dispute

Notably, Kaizen's statement did not address the legal challenges to the gambling ban currently being pursued through Brazil's courts.

Several industry participants have challenged aspects of the shutdown, while operators have also pursued individual judicial remedies.

Kaizen instead focused its public message on employees, tax revenue, responsible gambling and the risk of players shifting to illegal operators.

For Betano's Brazilian workforce, the most immediate consequence is the employment guarantee.

For the wider industry, the commitment also shows that Kaizen is maintaining operational capacity in Brazil while it waits to see whether Congress preserves, changes or reverses the prohibition.