Ecuador's casinos are to be closed within six months following a public referendum held in May.
Nearly four million people voted in favour of closing the gambling market, despite the move being likely to cost the jobs of more than 3,000 casino and gaming hall workers.
On September 9, President Rafael Correa executed Decree 873, setting a deadline of six months for the closing of gambling businesses in the country. In August, Correa had suggested that gaming businesses would have up to two years to wind down.
Those left without work in the wake of the new directive will be eligible for retraining, the government said.
