Operator News
Argentina – Online gambling to launch in Córdoba after presidential elections
By James - 6 November 2023
The government of Córdoba province has announced that online gambling will finally go live. The launch is scheduled to take place 48 hours after the presidential runoff election between Sergio Massa and Javier Milei which will be held on November 19.
However according to the lottery from November 21 and for 45 days, until January 5, the platforms will operate in a “demo” format only. Once the deadline has expired, real betting will be permitted
Although eight pre-license agreements were awarded only four online betting platforms will launch. Four companies pulled out mainly due to high licensing costs
In a statement the Córdoba Lottery explained that these will be “the only legal means of capturing and receiving bets virtually in the province of Córdoba”, including its capital where online gambling has been a contentious issue.
There have been repeated attempts by Councillor Juan Pablo Quinteros to block online gambling in the capital. In December 2022 after filing a complaint with the courts of Córdoba, the councillor demanded that the mayor of the city of the provincial capital Martín Llaryora, cancel the online gambling law. The councillor based his arguments on a regulation that prohibits gambling located within a radius of 20 kilometres from the central San Martín square, in the city of Córdoba.
According to the lottery, the “objective” of the 45-day demo period “is to raise awareness in society regarding safe gaming, which contains all Responsible Gaming policies, meets the highest standards of quality and protection of society” in order to “combat and eradicate illegal gambling.”
Online betting will only be permitted from devices located in the province of Córdoba and online gambling will be distributed between four companies: Betsson, PlayCet, B-Play and Jugadon. Licenses are valid for15 years and may not be renewed.
Betsson partnered up with Argentine casino operator Casino de Victoria. Locally based slot operator CET (Concesionaria de Entretenimiento y Turismo) will operate jointly with the Paraguayan sports betting operator Daruma Sam. Buenos Aires-based slot operator Boldt partnered with SG Digital (B-Play), while online casino brand Jugadon will be operated by a group that operates arcades, racetracks and slot machines in the province of San Luis.
