Buenos Aires legislator proposes ban on online gambling

Buenos Aires Legislator Pushes for Online Gambling Ban Amid Concerns Over Minors and Vulnerable Groups

As online gambling continues to grow in Buenos Aires, concerns about its impact on minors and vulnerable groups are escalating. Gabriel Solano, a member of the Workers’ Leftist Front in the Buenos Aires City legislature, has proposed a bill aimed at revoking the 2020 regulation of online gambling in the Argentine capital. Solano’s initiative seeks to address the increasing exposure of minors to gambling and the broader social implications of legalized online betting.

Solano’s Proposal Aims to Revoke 2020 Online Gambling Regulation

The 2020 regulation of online gambling in Buenos Aires marked a significant shift in Argentina’s gambling landscape, allowing international operators like bet365, Betsson, GiG, and Playtech to enter the market through local partnerships. This framework was intended to bring in tax revenue and regulate an already thriving underground market. However, critics argue that the rapid expansion of online gambling has had unintended consequences, particularly for younger and more vulnerable residents.

Gabriel Solano’s proposal seeks to dismantle the existing online gambling framework, citing the detrimental effects on minors and the widespread influence of gambling advertising. Solano argues that the current environment has created a dangerous path for teenagers and children, who are increasingly drawn into gambling through social media ads and sponsorships on major football clubs’ jerseys.

“The business of these companies escalated scandalously because even major football clubs carry the advertising of betting operators as sponsors on their shirts, making the situation worse,” Solano said. “The phenomenon of online betting has escalated in teenagers and children. But it’s also a problem that affects workers who see the possibility of a way out from the social and economic crisis, unemployment, and low wages.”

Gambling Regulation in Argentina: A Patchwork of Provincial Laws

In Argentina, gambling regulation is managed at the provincial level, leading to varying frameworks across the country’s 23 provinces and the federal district of Buenos Aires City. While Buenos Aires City launched its regulated online gambling market in 2020, other regions have their own rules and restrictions. The Buenos Aires Lottery, known as LOTBA, oversees the city’s online gambling operations, issuing licenses to local companies in partnership with international operators.

Despite Solano’s efforts, his party has limited influence within the Buenos Aires legislature, making it unlikely that the proposed bill will gain enough traction to pass. However, the proposal reflects a growing concern among legislators and the public about the accessibility of gambling to minors and the saturation of gambling ads, particularly on social media platforms where younger audiences are most vulnerable.

Rising Concerns and Regulatory Responses

The Buenos Aires government has already begun taking steps to tighten regulations. In May, tougher penalties were introduced for operators who fail to prevent their ads from reaching children. The city’s new government leader, Jorge Macris, further tightened restrictions in June by halting the issuance of new online gambling licenses. This freeze allows the government to focus on enhancing age verification measures to better protect minors.

Moreover, the national communications and media watchdog ENACOM announced this week that it had blocked over 1,000 unlicensed gambling websites in 2023 alone. This crackdown is part of a broader effort to curb illegal gambling activities and protect consumers from unregulated operators who lack the safeguards mandated by licensed entities.

While Gabriel Solano’s proposal to ban online gambling in Buenos Aires may face significant legislative hurdles, it underscores a growing unease with the current regulatory framework. Concerns about the exposure of minors and vulnerable groups to gambling and its associated advertising are prompting a reevaluation of how the industry operates within the city. As debates continue, the future of online gambling in Buenos Aires will likely hinge on finding a balance between regulation, consumer protection, and economic opportunity. The government’s next steps will be crucial in determining whether current measures are sufficient or if a more radical overhaul, as proposed by Solano, is needed to safeguard the community.