Argentine government to put forward its own online gambling bill
The government of Javier Milei is working on a new bill to “prevent gambling addiction,” an alternative to the bill approved in the Chamber of Deputies in November. According to local press the new government backed bill was prepared by the Argentine Secretariat for Comprehensive Drug Policies (Sedronar). The bill is far less restrictive than the bill put forward to the Senate as it does not include significant restrictions on advertising but rather focuses on the prohibition of the advertising of unlicensed betting platforms. It also focuses on the protection of minors and prohibits messages which equate online gambling with personal, professional, or social success.
A number of lawmakers have reacted strongly to the news. Maximiliano Ferraro, a national deputy from the Coalición Cívica wrote on X: “The government claims it wants to prevent gambling addiction, but it promotes a project that is a true disgrace. A clumsy attempt to cover up what they really defend: the businesses of online gambling,”
Meanwhile Eduardo Toniolli (UxP) accused the government of being “the government of gamblers”
The Argentine Senate has been gearing up to discuss the far more restrictive bill related to gambling addiction and online betting. This bill had received partial approval from the Chamber of Deputies in November 2024 and was sent to the Senate where it faced a series of delays and obstacles, largely due to the presence of multiple initiatives in the Senate that had already been assigned to various committees.
The legislation if approved by the Senate prohibits advertising, promotion, and sponsorship of online gambling across various platforms, including social media, influencers, sports apparel, billboards on public roads, as well as print, radio, and television media. It also addresses future media that may emerge due to technological advancements. Additionally, the law bans “welcome bonuses,” and forbids sponsorship of sports teams or individual athletes, as well as promotion at sporting events, concerts, and festivals. Operators of online gaming platforms would be required to implement biometric verification systems to confirm the identity and age of users, including for virtual wallet transactions.
Platforms would also be mandated to display reminders about time spent on their site, encouraging users to take breaks, along with warnings about health risks and helplines. The legislation also establishes a National Self-Exclusion Registry that allows individuals to opt out voluntarily or through family members, preventing them from accessing gambling platforms.
In addition, the legislation limits payment methods for online betting to bank debit cards and electronic or virtual wallets with funds only available in the account. Both payment methods would be subject to daily limits equivalent to the withdrawal limits set by banks or financial institutions. Credit cards and payment methods linked to accounts established at the request of social welfare programme Anses will be prohibited.
However just hours after it was approved in the House of Deputies and sent to the Senate it was revealed that Milei planned to issue a Decree of Necessity and Urgency (DNU) specifically aimed at combating child gambling addiction, with the intention of blocking the project in 2025. Furthermore, it was confirmed that Milei would veto the law should it gain Senate approval.
