How To Open An Online Casino In Argentina? Beginners Guide

How to Launch an Online Casino Argentina

The biggest players in the market consider Argentina to be one of the most yielding markets in the future of Latin American online casinos. The pandemic has witnessed a complete shutdown from March 2020. However, the gambling services were back in business by the end of 2020. Since then the country has made vigorous efforts to decriminalize online casinos in Argentina

The federal tax was increased from 2% to 5% to keep up with the economic recovery after covid-19, in 2021. 

Online Casino In Argentina Attaining Legal Status

Online casino legislation in Argentina was non-existent till 2008 and when they were introduced, it was criminalized. It was only legalized after the disagreements were settled and the government found a middle ground. 

Although legalized, the online gaming regulations in Argentina are very strict with a limited scope for promoting their services within the country. The biggest takeaway from the article is that online gaming in Argentina is proscribed unless exclusively permitted by the 24 provinces collectively. 

Can Argentinians Play with Offshore Gaming Operators Legally?

The country is taking baby steps to effectively regulate online gaming and help domestic and global brands thrive within the region. But the power struggle is only feeding the profit of the offshore gambling operators as they are widely accepting Argentinian punters. 

Online gambling is not an offense anymore in Argentina and in fact, offshore operators can offer their services to Argentinian citizens ethically. However, according to the gambling law in Argentina, local casinos operating online without a permit would be considered a punishable offense. But this condition leads the population to try out overseas casinos which might not come with the most reliable infrastructure. 

Some of these entities in the online casino market are without recognition and proper certification which often leads enthusiastic players into the trap of fraudulent gambling websites.

How Betting Laws and Regulations Argentina Evolved?

To give you a little back story, the gambling laws in Argentina were imposed back in 1999. Through a formal decree, the decisions related to gambling services were handed over to the respective states. In 2006, the government divided the right to gambling laws into 23 provinces apart from lotteries and sports betting.

In 2018, the Latin American gambling scene was facing a lot of hindrance due to the unalignment among the rest of the 23 Latin American provinces. Due to the high density of population, the industry was kept under check and some limitations were imposed to safeguard the citizens.

Online casino in Argentina

Current Decision makers of iGaming Regulations in Argentina

The online gambling regulations in Argentina are mentioned below:

Regulatory figures Provinces
Lotería de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires SE Buenos Aires City 
Instituto Provincial de Lotería y Casinos de la Provincia de Buenos Aires  Buenos Aires Province 
Caja de Prestaciones Sociales de la Provincia de Catamarca Catamarca Province
 Lotería Chaqueña Province of Chaco
Instituto de Asistencia Social de Chubut Province of Chubut
Lotería de la Provincia de Córdoba SE Province of Córdoba
Instituto de Lotería y Casinos de Corrientes Province of Corrientes
Instituto de Lotería y Casinos de Corrientes Province of Corrientes
Instituto de Ayuda Financiera a la Acción Social Province of Entre Ríos
Instituto de Asistencia Social Province of Formosa
Instituto Provincial de Juegos de Azar de Jujuy Province of Jujuy
Instituto de Seguridad Social de La Pampa Province of La Pampa
Administración General de Juegos de Azar de La Rioja Province of La Rioja
Instituto Provincial de Juegos y Casinos de la Provincia de Mendoza Province of Mendoza
Instituto Provincial de Loterías y Casinos de la Provincia de Misiones SE  Province of Misiones
Instituto Provincial de Juegos de Azar de Neuquén Province of Neuquén
Lotería para Obras de Acción Social de la Provincia de Rio Negro Province of Río Negro
Ente Regulador del Juego de Azar de la Provincia de Salta Province of Salta
Caja de Acción Social de San Juan Province of San Juan
Caja Social y Financiera de la Provincia de San Luis Province of San Luis
Lotería para Obras de Acción Social de la Provincia de Santa Cruz Province of Santa Cruz
Caja de Asistencia Social de la Provincia de Santa Fe Province of Santa Fe
Caja Social de Santiago del Estero Province of Santiago del Estero
Instituto Provincial de Regulación de Apuestas de Tierra del Fuego  Province of Tierra del Fuego
Antártida e Islas del Atlántico Sur Province of Tierra del Fuego
Caja Popular de Ahorros de la Provincia de Tucumán Province of Tucumán

Cumulatively there are 3 authorities in power to make any decision related to online gambling regulations:

  • One of the provincial regulatory bodies mentioned in the table,
  • Asociación de Loterías, Quinielas y Casinos Estatales de Argentina (ALEA) — a government organization that looks after several gambling issues
  • Dirección General de Juegos de Casino y Máquinas Tragamonedas from the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism

Present Situation— Online Casino In Argentina

Currently, online gambling in Argentina is legalized but restricted under various conditions. These licenses are awarded based on auctions and hence the competition is cutthroat among the top companies trying to apply for it. Only about 950 platforms worldwide provide gambling services in Argentina. 

Only around 350 of them are aligned with the needs of every Argentinian, including currency acceptance, locally available payment gateways and digital wallets, language particular UX, etc. 

But can we expect to witness a silver lining anytime soon?

The Argentinian Government is in the process of cleaning up a mess that it has currently been in for the past few decades. It’s better to not expect anything major to happen rapidly but they are surely on the lookout to improve the situation for the natives.

Great Games , Safe Games

How To Open An Online Casino In Argentina? Beginners Guide

PieGaming Staff

PieGaming platform is a host of collective voices with expertise in the iGaming industry. We bring to you blogs and posts curated by enthusiasts sharing their insights, experiences, and knowledge about the thrilling world of online casinos gaming and betting.

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