Argentina Senator Proposes Online Gambling Ban in Buenos Aires

Senator Federico Fagioli of Argentina has introduced a draft bill, dubbed the “Lula Law,” aiming to prohibit online gambling across the Province of Buenos Aires. The proposed legislation seeks to repeal Law No. 15,079/2018, which legalized online gambling in the province.

What Happened

A draft bill titled the “Lula Law” has been tabled in Argentina, intending to ban online gambling within the Province of Buenos Aires, according to SBC News. Senator Federico Fagioli, a member of the Peronist Patria Grande political party, is behind the initiative, which seeks to overturn Law No. 15,079/2018, the legislation that originally legalized online gambling in the province.

The proposed bill is named after Brazil’s current President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and reportedly mirrors a law he enacted on September 25 that prohibited licensed gambling throughout Brazil, nearly two years after its initial signing. Fagioli’s bill aims to prohibit various forms of online gambling, including sports betting, virtual slot machines, roulette, blackjack, and poker, among other games offering cash prizes. It includes specific exceptions for lotteries, prize draws, and quinielas, a traditional Argentine lottery game.

Key Details

• Senator Federico Fagioli of the Peronist Patria Grande political party introduced the “Lula Law” draft bill (SBC News).
• The bill proposes to repeal Law No. 15,079/2018, which legalized online gambling in the Province of Buenos Aires (SBC News).
• If adopted, the law would ban online sports betting, virtual slot machines, roulette, blackjack, poker, and other cash prize games, with exceptions for lotteries, prize draws, and quinielas (SBC News).
• The proposed legislation would require licensed operators to cease accepting new player deposits and facilitate refunds of current player account balances (SBC News).
• It would also prohibit all relevant advertising, promotions, bonuses, and sponsorships within the Province of Buenos Aires (SBC News).
• The Provincial Institute of Lotteries and Casinos, the local regulator, would be mandated to issue banning orders for websites and applications offering gambling (SBC News).

Why It Matters

Senator Fagioli’s rationale for the proposed ban stems from his belief that digital platforms have significantly amplified access to gambling. He stated that the ability to bet from any internet-connected device has eliminated many physical, geographical, and time-related barriers historically associated with land-based gambling. This perspective highlights concerns regarding the accessibility and potential impact of online gambling on individuals.

The re-introduction of such a proposal in Buenos Aires could have substantial implications for operators in the region. A similar proposal was made two years prior by Gabriel Solano, a Legislator for the autonomous City of Buenos Aires, driven by concerns about an increase in gambling among minors, though it did not advance into law. The current bill, coupled with recent regulatory developments in neighboring Brazil, may create uncertainty for local operators, according to SBC News.

What’s Next

SBC News has reportedly contacted some of the largest operators in Argentina for their comments regarding the proposed legislation.