Located in southeastern South America, Argentina is bordered by Atlantic Ocean to the east, Antarctica to the south, Chile to the west, Bolivia and Paraguay to the north, and Uruguay and Brazil to the northeast. has evolved to be a major force in the international gambling sector. Having rich gambling legislative history, an array of regulatory bodies and diversity of betting opportunities makes Argentina unique landscape for Betting Sites in Argentina and sports betting.
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Legislative History of Gambling in Argentina
- 1999: Provinces were authorized by the Supreme Court to legalise gambling within their territories.
- 2008: The central government made the issuance of online gambling licenses illegal, restricting the operations to those approved by provincial governments.
- 2018: Regulations for online gaming were set up by the City of Buenos Aires and the Province of Buenos Aires.
- 2021: The first live online gaming agencies have started working in the City of Buenos Aires on 9th December.
- 2022: A project of the Province of Mendoza announced the program which allows to get seven licenses for the operations in Internet gambling.
Regulatory Agencies and Frameworks
The regulation of gambling in Argentina is decentralized where each province is given the power to set its own rules and form its own regulatory bodies. Here are some key agencies:
- ALEA (Asociación de Loterías, Quinielas y CasinosEstados): This is the main national body, which regulates lotteries, pools, and casinos.
- Instituto Provincial de Lotería y Casinos de la Provincia de Buenos Aires: The regulatory body in Buenos Aires for lotteries and casinos.
- LOTBA, S. E. : The regulatory body for internet gaming in the City of Buenos Aires.
Gambling Law and Regulation in Argentina – 5 Things to Know
Licenses and Fees of Betting Sites in Argentina
Gambling operators in Argentina need to obtain licenses from every province they are operating in. Here are some key details:
Buenos Aires:
- License Fee: US$100,000 annually
- Application Fee: US$30,000
- Tax: 10% on revenue
Province of Buenos Aires:
- Tax: 25% of gross gaming revenue (GGR)
Province of Mendoza:
- Granted seven licences through international tender process in early 2023.
Gambling Taxes
The tax system for gambling in Argentina is complex and involves federal, provincial and municipal levels of taxes. Key taxes include:
- Federal Tax: 5% over the entire online gambling turnover
- Province of Buenos Aires: 25 percent GGR tax is levied.
- City of Buenos Aires: 10% GGR tax.
Prohibited and Permitted of Betting Sites in Argentina
The gambling in Argentina is a very diverse notion, from classic land-based casinos to online sports betting. But some provinces don’t allow these activities and some have limited activities regarding the provinces.
Permitted Bets:
- Casino games
- Horse racing
- Sports betting
- Lotteries
- Internet wagering (where provincial legislation allows)
Prohibited Bets:
- Any gambling that is not explicitly permitted by the provincial jurisdictions.
Comprehensive Chronology of Gambling Laws
Here is a detailed list of the key events and legislation in the history of Argentina’s gambling laws:
- 1999: Supreme Court Decree – Provinces delegated the power to legalize gambling.
- 2002: Introduction of the first internet casino in Argentina.
- 2008: National prohibition of online gambling licenses issuance.
- 2018: Buenos Aires – The regulations of virtual betting implemented.
- 2018: Province of Buenos Aires – The regulation of online gambling is initiated.
- 2018: The federal tax on the internet gambling is now at 5% up from 2%.
- 2018, December: Buenos Aires Province – Puts online casinos and sports betting on a legal footing.
- 2019, July: Codere requests license for online in Buenos Aires.
- 2020, January: LOTBA gives the nod to Codere’s platform instalment program.
- 2021, December 9: Origin online betting agencies are activated in Buenos Aires.
- 2022, June: Decree 293/2022 – Establishes rates of taxation for the online gambling payment.
- 2022, July: Resolution. Rules that define the payment of the online gambling tax.
- 2022, December: Province of Mendoza – Online betting licenses’ public tender.
- 2023, Early: Province of Mendoza – Grants seven online gambling operation licenses.
- 2023: Province of Mendoza – Licensing initiative completion.
Current Market Overview
By 2023, the Argentine gambling market will be booming, especially in the City and Province of Buenos Aires. There are ongoing legal developments in that regard as different provinces are either in the process of creating or upgrading their regulatory models. The new laws and the launching of new licenses have led to the growing online gaming market.
Conclusion
Argentina’s gaming terrain is intricate but promising. Having a long history of changing laws, decentralized regulatory system, and growing online market, Argentina is set to emerge as a major player in the gambling sector worldwide.
People who want to know more about Betting Sites in Argentina or even involved in Argentina sports betting should focus on the legislative environment and follow legislative changes.
For more in-depth information and the recent news concerning Argentina’s gambling laws, follow our blog and consult local regulatory bodies for specific details.
Best Betting Sites in Argentina: FAQ
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