Buenos Aires Enforces Shut-Down of 72 Unlawful Gambling Websites
Cracking Down on Illicit Online Gambling in Buenos Aires
The city of Buenos Aires is stepping up its fight against unlawful online gambling, with authorities shutting down 72 unapproved websites in a recent operation. This action follows a major crackdown in September 2024, where over 200 illicit gaming websites were closed.
Led by the Buenos Aires City Lottery (LOTBA) and the Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Gambling, the operation unearthed solid evidence of these platforms' illegal activities.
Repelling Unauthorized Gambling Operations
Jesús Acevedo, president of LOTBA, reiterated the organization's unique authority over gambling operations within the City of Buenos Aires. "We are the only authority that can legally grant licenses for games of chance in Buenos Aires," he asserted.
Acevedo underscored the broader impact of these actions, stating that they contribute to responsible gaming and underage gambling prevention. "This operation is an addition to the awareness and combat actions we continually promote to encourage Responsible Gaming and prevent child gambling," he added.
Buenos Aires has intensified its efforts to combat unlawful online gambling since 2023. So far, more than 330 illegal gambling websites have been shuttered by the city.
Going beyond website closures, regulators have targeted social media promotions. Over 1,600 profiles and ads related to illicit gambling have been removed, while 48 influencers and celebrities have faced scrutiny for advertising illegal gaming sites on their platforms.
Buenos Aires' sustained vigilance over the online gambling industry, its commitment to maintaining compliance, and protecting consumers from unauthorized operators is underscored by this continuous enforcement.
Contextual Insights
While specific regulatory updates since 2023 were not detailed, Buenos Aires operates under Argentina’s federal gambling laws. These grant provinces the power to regulate their own gambling markets. Buenos Aires legalized online gambling in 2020 through the Online Gaming and Betting Law (Ley 15.295).
Authorities prioritize taking action against unlicensed operators by blocking access to unauthorized gambling websites via ISP restrictions, scrutinizing illicit payment processing, and launching public awareness campaigns highlighting legal platforms.
[1] iGaming Daily podcast: https://igamingdaily.com/[4] Cyberattack data sources: https://www.statista.com/topics/992/cybercrime/
- The Buenos Aires City Lottery (LOTBA) asserted its unique legal authority over gambling operations within the City of Buenos Aires, stating that it is the only authority that can legally grant licenses for games of chance.
- Acevedo, the president of LOTBA, highlighted the broader impact of the operation, stating that it contributes to responsible gaming and underage gambling prevention.
- The city of Buenos Aires has intensified its efforts to combat unlawful online gambling since 2023, with more than 330 illegal gambling websites having been shuttered by the city.
- Regulators in Buenos Aires have gone beyond website closures, targeting social media promotions and removing over 1,600 profiles and ads related to illicit gambling.
- The continued enforcement of the city's policies on unlawful online gambling is intended to maintain compliance and protect consumers from unauthorized operators.
- The city operates under Argentina’s federal gambling laws, which grant provinces the power to regulate their own gambling markets, and has prioritized taking action against unlicensed operators by blocking access to unauthorized gambling websites, scrutinizing illicit payment processing, and launching public awareness campaigns highlighting legal platforms.
