Argentina: strong support for online gambling regulation

Local operators and regulators have highlighed the importance of regulating online gaming.

Argentina.- In a virtual conference organised by the Argentine State Lottery Association (ALEA), representatives highlighted the importance of regulating onling gaming.

Attendees said the pandemic had heightened the need for online gaming regulation due to the shift in the demand for digital platforms.

Silvio Vivas, president of IAFAS, the institute that provides financial support to social projects in Entre Ríos province, said regulation was needed to channel funds from online gaming to social causes.

He said: “Online gaming exists. It emerged in unofficial territories, it is in public demand, and it will continue to be there.

“As representatives of gambling regulatory bodies, we must make it official in order to provide security, support and transparency to bettors and to channel the results into social action.”

Sebastián Vivot from LOTBA, the Buenos Aires city lottery, said work was needed on payment methods.

He said: “There are members of the public in favour of online gambling coming to the market.

“Electronic payment methods need to be sorted out. There is a problem with banks and depositing credit for gambling, and we are trying to straighten that out with various entities.

“We need to all be in this together if we want it to be successful, because it will bring about community welfare, especially in the situation we have today.”

Vivot said he believed that online sales “won’t cancel out” land-based sales.

Patricia Barberis from IPLyC, the state gaming operator in Misiones province, hailed the benefits of her province’s own legal gaming portal Guazubet.com.

She said: “We focused on registration, controls, blocking access to minors.

“Through registration we look after the bettor. We offer games like live casino and sports betting. Our aim is to give bettors legal gaming and to take care of them.”