Argentina Senate to Debate Online Gambling and Problem Gambling Bill

Argentina’s Senate will address a bill concerning online gambling regulation and problem gambling prevention in the coming weeks, following appeals from the Argentine Episcopal Conference. The announcement was made by Senator Patricia Bullrich on November 6, 2026, amid calls to protect children and adolescents.

What Happened

Senator Patricia Bullrich announced that the Argentine Congress would debate a project focused on preventing childhood problem gambling and regulating online betting in the coming weeks. This development follows repeated requests from the Argentine Episcopal Conference, as well as academic, scientific, and clinical sectors, urging congressional action on online gambling regulation, particularly for the protection of minors, according to SBC Noticias.

The announcement from Senator Bullrich, made on November 6, 2026, emphasized the seriousness of problem gambling, stating that it “destroys the lives of children and impacts families who often do not know how to help them.” She affirmed the intention to “address this law in the Senate in the coming weeks,” advocating for limits to be established, as reported by TN.

The issue has gained increased public attention, reportedly influenced by the visit of Pope Leo XIV to Argentina. Currently, two initiatives are under consideration in the Senate: one project that received half-sanction in the Chamber of Deputies in November 2024, authored by Deputy Mónica Frade, and another submitted by Argentine President Javier Milei in May 2026, which has not yet advanced in its legislative process. The project approved by Deputies is reportedly the focus of the current appeals for accelerated debate in the Senate (SBC Noticias).

Key Details

• Senator Patricia Bullrich confirmed on November 6, 2026, that the Argentine Senate would debate legislation on online gambling and problem gambling prevention (TN).
• The debate follows repeated appeals from the Argentine Episcopal Conference and other sectors to protect children and adolescents from online betting risks (SBC Noticias).
• Two legislative initiatives are currently in the Senate: a bill with half-sanction from the Chamber of Deputies (November 2024) and another proposed by President Javier Milei (May 2026) (SBC Noticias).
• The president of the Argentine Episcopal Conference, Bishop Marcelo Colombo, specifically urged the Senate to advance the project that already has half-sanction from the Deputies, warning against its expiration (SBC Noticias).

Why It Matters

The renewed legislative push for online gambling regulation and problem gambling prevention in Argentina reflects increasing societal and religious concerns over the impact of online betting, particularly on younger populations. The involvement of high-profile figures such as Senator Bullrich and the Argentine Episcopal Conference underscores the perceived urgency of the matter. The potential for the half-sanctioned bill to lapse, as highlighted by Bishop Marcelo Colombo, indicates a critical juncture for regulatory action in Argentina’s online gambling market.

The debate in the Senate will determine the specific framework for future online gambling operations and consumer protection measures, with a focus on minors. This legislative movement is a significant development for B2B operators, regulators, and industry analysts monitoring the evolution of regulated markets in Latin America, potentially shaping the operational landscape for digital betting platforms within Argentina.

What’s Next

The Senate is expected to address the project for preventing childhood problem gambling and regulating online betting in the coming weeks (SBC Noticias). The Argentine Episcopal Conference has launched a petition on Change.org, titled “Señores Senadores: Legislen hoy, protejan a los niños argentinos de las apuestas online,” indicating continued advocacy for the legislation (SBC Noticias).