Argentina to Ban Betting Ads and Welcome Bonuses

Argentina’s Chamber of Deputies has approved a bill aimed at banning online gambling advertisements nationwide.

The legislation, passed with 139 votes in favor, 36 against, and 59 abstentions, and now awaits consideration by the Senate.

Key Provisions of the Bill

The proposed law introduces several measures to regulate online gambling and mitigate its potential harms:

• Comprehensive Advertising Ban: Article 8 prohibits the advertising, promotion, and sponsorship of online gambling across all communication platforms, including digital media, social networks, and public spaces.
• Sponsorship Prohibited: Gambling operators are banned from sponsoring sports teams, and athletes. Sports venues must not be named after gambling companies.
• Celebrity Endorsements Banned: The use of testimonials from celebrities, athletes, public figures, or fictional characters in gambling promotions is forbidden.
• Prohibition of Welcome Bonuses: The bill will eliminate the offering of welcome bonuses by online gambling operators.
• Mandatory Biometric Verification: To prevent underage gambling, operators would be required to implement biometric facial identification systems to ensure that minors cannot access online gambling platforms.
• Permitted Advertising in Specific Locations: Article 9 allows for advertising within authorized gambling halls and lottery sales locations, provided that such promotions include warnings about the dangers of compulsive gambling.

What’s Behind the Legislation?

Argentina’s gambling regulations are fragmented with each province overseeing its own policies. This has led to inconsistencies and challenges in protecting vulnerable people, particularly minors. Deputy Mónica Frade emphasized the need for a national framework to address this legal vacuum and enhance protections for children and adolescents.

Deputy Silvana Giudici highlighted that approximately 14.6 million Argentinians use betting platforms, with 78% using unregulated sites. She advocated for stringent measures, such as biometric access controls and enhanced parental oversight, to curb underage gambling.

If enacted, this legislation would significantly impact the online gambling industry in Argentina, particularly in the realm of sports sponsorships. Several prominent football clubs have existing partnerships with gambling operators, which would be affected. For instance, Betsson sponsors Boca Juniors, and Codere has ties with River Plate.

The bill’s progression to the Senate will involve further consultations with stakeholders, including sports organizations and gambling operators, to assess the broader implications. The primary objective remains the protection of minors and the reduction of gambling-related harms within Argentine society.

Olivia Richardson

Olivia has worked as an editor and writer for major brands across multiple niches. She now focuses on the iGaming and sports betting industries.