LOTBA, the agency regulating gambling in the City of Buenos Aires, adopts enforcement measures against unauthorized websites and influencers that advertise their use.
Report related to the Gaming industry | LOTBA, the agency regulating gambling in the City of Buenos Aires, adopts enforcement measures against unauthorized websites and influencers that advertise their use.
During the past month, the Government of the City of Buenos Aires has adopted a number of measures aimed at restricting the participation of underage in online gambling. Previously, the City of Buenos Aires had stood out from other jurisdictions for not setting a limit on the number of operators. However, together with these measures the possibility to apply for new permits for online gambling platforms in the City was closed. Consequently, operations will be restricted solely to those platforms already authorized[1]. These platforms will undergo a thorough review to evaluate their control mechanisms, spending limits, operating hours, and tools such as self-exclusion, among other aspects.
Among the announced measures, emphasis is placed on the prohibition of individuals under 18 years old from participating in gambling on authorized platforms, specifying that only domains ending in “.bet.ar”[2] are allowed in the City of Buenos Aires.
In collaboration with the Lotería de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires (LOTBA), the City Government has intensified controls to ensure that online gaming offerings comply with rigorous standards of responsible gaming. Through the Association of State Lotteries (ALEA), LOTBA has established agreements with entities such as META, NIC.AR, ENACOM, Mercado Libre, and Rapipago aimed at removing and blocking content that promotes illegal gambling. As a result of these actions, 715 social media profiles and advertisements, as well as 12 websites with “.AR” domains, have been blocked. Additionally, the removal of 9 listings on Mercado Libre has been requested, and 9 warnings have been sent to influencers involved in promoting illegal gambling[3].
[1] The platforms licensed to operate by LOTBA are: Codere, Biplay, Super 7, Jugadon, Betsson, BetWarrior, Bet365, Betfun, Casino Buenos Aires.
[2] According to Resolution 68/2019 from the National Directorate of Internet Domain Registration, it enables the registration zone for internet domain names under the Top Level Domain Argentina, designated as “bet.ar”, under the following requirements: entities must have a Tax Identification Number (CUIT) and Fiscal Key (Clave Fiscal); they must be registered in the Online Gaming Operators Registry validated by the respective authorities of the different jurisdictions that authorize or establish it.
[3] This information was communicated by the “Lotería de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires.” (Lotería de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires (loteriadelaciudad.gob.ar))
In addition, access to 772 URLs of legal and illegal websites has been blocked on the Wi-Fi network of all publicly managed schools in the City, and this measure has been extended to the entire BA WIFI network, which provides free internet access in public spaces. The General Prosecutor’s Office, following a meeting with the City Major Jorge Macri, has decided to assign a special unit to investigate and prosecute illegal gambling, complementing these actions with cooperation from the cybercrime division of the City Police to monitor networks and prevent infractions.
These measures are relevant not only for online platforms operators, but for entities that provide different services tos uch operators, that -in light of these new measures- could be more exposed to enforcement measures and potential penalties.
[1] The platforms licensed to operate by LOTBA are: Codere, Biplay, Super 7, Jugadon, Betsson, BetWarrior, Bet365, Betfun, Casino Buenos Aires.
[1] According to Resolution 68/2019 from the National Directorate of Internet Domain Registration, it enables the registration zone for internet domain names under the Top Level Domain Argentina, designated as “bet.ar”, under the following requirements: entities must have a Tax Identification Number (CUIT) and Fiscal Key (Clave Fiscal); they must be registered in the Online Gaming Operators Registry validated by the respective authorities of the different jurisdictions that authorize or establish it.
[1] This information was communicated by the “Lotería de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires.” (Lotería de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires (loteriadelaciudad.gob.ar))
By Agustín Waisman, Tomás Lopez Bisso y Pilar Fernandez Sasso.