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Argentina – Argentinean lawmaker calls for major restriction on advertising

By - 3 December 2014

National Deputy Omar Duclós (GEN Party) has introduced a new bill to the Lower House that would regulate the advertising and promotion of gaming.

The new law would severely restrict the advertising of gaming in order to safeguard the population from gambling addiction and its negative consequences. The initiative states that Argentine television watchdog AFSCA (The Federal Authority of Audiovisual and Communication Services) would be responsible for the monitoring and compliance of the new regulations. Failure to comply would include heavy fines for those companies found to be breaking the law.

New laws are necessary, according to the legislator, in order to change the growing perception that legal gambling is a secure source of income for the Treasury. Speaking before the Lower House, Mr. Duclos said that it was essential, “to adopt concrete measures to raise awareness when it comes to the negative effects of compulsive gambling and problem gambling.” As a result the new bill prohibits the promotion and advertising of gambling across all media platforms except within gambling centres themselves. And when present they must clearly outline the negative consequences of excessive gambling.

Highlighting the growth of gambling advertising in Argentina Mr. Duclós said: “In our country there are many advertisements for lotteries, casinos, racetracks and bingo on television, radio, in print and electronic media as well as signage on public roads, stadiums and malls, which target a large number of potential consumers, and they provide a picture of gaming as a leisure and entertainment activity associated with happiness and good fortune. Some of these ads are promoted by State institutions.”

Advertising of gambling has become increasingly present in local media for both the land based and online sector over recent years even though online gaming is illegal in the autonomously governed city of Buenos Aires. And while online gambling is legal throughout the rest of the country it is only where permission is granted by the regional governments where they operate. However interactive gambling sites often promote themselves via cable television and local chat shows.

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