Argentina’s Congress advances gambling bill amid contentious debate 

Argentina’s Chamber of Deputies has approved a bill aimed at preventing gambling addiction and regulating online gambling and sports betting.

The bill was passed with 139 votes in favour, 36 against, and 59 abstentions, primarily from members of the Radical Civic Union (UCR), Republican Proposal (PRO), and Integration and Development Movement (MID) blocs.

The debate featured two competing proposals: a majority-backed version supported by Unión por la Patria (UxP), Encuentro Federal, the Civic Coalition, and the Workers’ Left Front (FIT), and a minority-backed version endorsed by the PRO, La Libertad Avanza (LLA), and the UCR. 

Proponents of the majority-backed version emphasised the need for a unified national framework to address a growing issue. Legislator Mónica Frade highlighted that while gambling regulations traditionally fall under provincial jurisdiction, the bill provides provinces with a model framework to adopt.

She pointed out that the proposal addresses critical gaps in the current legal structure, offering tools to tackle the societal impacts of gambling addiction. 

The minority-backed version of the bill, presented by legislator Silvana Giudici, called for a more focused approach to combating gambling addiction among young people. Giudici stressed the importance of regulating advertising while also addressing the prevalence of illegal gambling platforms.

Nearly 78% of Argentina’s 14.6 million online gambling users reportedly engage with unregulated platforms, according to the bill’s supporters. 

To counter this, Giudici advocated for biometric access controls and enhanced parental oversight to prevent minors from accessing gambling platforms. While acknowledging the need for regulation, she emphasised the importance of respecting provincial autonomy and incorporating input from local institutions, such as provincial gambling boards. 

Advertising restrictions and youth protections 

A key aspect of the bill is its stringent restrictions on gambling-related advertising. The legislation prohibits the promotion and sponsorship of online gambling, sports betting, and prediction games.

It also bans welcome bonuses and the participation of social media influencers in promotional activities. According to the proposed framework, such measures aim to protect public health and mental well-being on a national scale. 

The bill further amends the existing Law 26.934 to integrate a comprehensive plan for addressing problematic gambling behaviours. It also prohibits individuals aged under 18 from accessing gambling websites and online betting platforms.

Legislator Rogelio Iparraguirre viewed the bill’s passage as a critical first step toward addressing broader societal issues. He urged lawmakers to consider how emerging technologies have transformed social behaviours, particularly among young people.

Meanwhile, legislator Nadia Márquez expressed partial support for the bill. She agreed with the prohibition of gambling for minors but opposed the majority-backed version due to what she viewed as excessive regulations and a lack of comprehensive solutions.

Márquez proposed adopting simplified definitions of gambling sites and incorporating recommendations from Argentina’s Secretariat for Comprehensive Policies on Drugs (SEDRONAR). 

The bill’s next challenge lies in the Senate, where debates are expected to mirror the contentious discussions in the Chamber of Deputies.

Whether the bill succeeds in addressing the multifaceted issues associated with gambling addiction will depend on the final version that emerges from the legislative process.

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