Argentina’s government has submitted a broad online gambling reform Bill to Congress, proposing criminal penalties for illegal betting operators, tighter controls on minors’ access and a national public health approach to problem gambling.
The Bill, sent to the Senate on May 22nd under President Javier Milei’s administration, was drafted by the Secretariat of Comprehensive Policies on Drugs of the Nation in coordination with the Ministry of Health. It is now being reviewed by the Senate’s General Legislation, Health, and Justice and Criminal Affairs committees. The proposal comes amid rising concern in Argentina over the growth of online betting, particularly among young people, and the expansion of offshore platforms operating without domestic authorisation.
Under the draft legislation, operators of unauthorised betting capture systems could face prison sentences of three to six years. Penalties would increase where illegal platforms target minors. The Bill also proposes prison terms of two to four years for those providing services, technology, equipment or advertising support to unauthorised operators.
The legislation would give several federal agencies new enforcement responsibilities. The National Communications Agency would be able to block content from illegal operators, while Argentina’s Central Bank would be required to prevent transfers from minors’ accounts to gambling operators. The National Securities Commission would gain sanctioning powers over virtual asset service providers that support illegal platforms, while the National Domain Registry could suspend domains used by unauthorised sites.
The Bill also sets out broad advertising restrictions. Gambling promotions would be prohibited across social media, television, radio, internet, mobile applications and public spaces where they target or feature minors. Advertising would also be barred from linking gambling to financial success, social status or personal achievement. Licensed operators would still be allowed to advertise, but under tighter controls.
The government’s proposal is narrower than an opposition-backed Bill approved by the Chamber of Deputies in November 2024, which the Milei administration argued would have placed excessive restrictions on legal gambling activity.
The new Bill preserves Argentina’s federal gambling structure, with provinces retaining significant regulatory authority. However, it seeks to create national coordination mechanisms to address online platforms that operate across provincial borders. The legislation will need to be reconciled with existing proposals before any final version can be enacted, leaving the timetable for reform uncertain.
