Latin America has been among the regions considered to be holding huge potential in terms of online gambling, and multiple international gambling companies have spotted that potential and have directed their investment interest to that part of the world.
This justifies the growing debates in a number of South American countries on whether they should modernize their gambling laws in a manner that would allow international iGaming operators to operate legally within their borders.
Recent reports about the possibility for the Argentinian government to establish a new federal gambling agency, which among other things will be vested with the regulation of iGaming, have stirred such debates in the country.
Above-mentioned reports were fueled by a recent interview of Fabián Rodríguez Simón, who is known to be an advisor to Argentina President Mauricio Macri. Mr. Simón told local media that the creation of a federal online gaming agency was under consideration. This further signaled that the country may be planning to take steps towards opening its market for international operations at a federal level.
Gambling services are provided to local players by monopoly organizations, whose regulation, in turn, falls under the purview of each of Argentina’s provinces.
Earlier this week, the debate was joined by Alfredo Monaco, President of the country’s association of provincial lotteries, ALEA, who released an official statement on their stance in relation to the recent reports.
Mr. Monaco said that while the association supports any modernization of Argentina’s online gambling laws, the government must not forget to recognize the authority each of the provinces has over the provision of this type of services.
The gambling official further pointed out that each province’s decision to legalize or to keep iGaming outside its borders should be respected. In that relation, effective mechanisms need to be adopted that will ensure that online gambling will only be provided where this is legal. According to Mr. Monaco, any iGaming bill that is discussed by the government without taking into account the above points should be considered unconstitutional.
The latest gambling developments in Argentina complement eventful past several weeks in the region, during which Colombia issued a first iGaming license under its new gambling regulations and began blocking unlicensed operators.
And as reported by Casino News Daily earlier today, Uruguay may also take measures to discourage operators servicing local players without the necessary authorization from doing so. The country’s Undersecretary of Economy, Pablo Ferreri, has told local media that the government has been discussing the possibility for internationally licensed operators to be banned from the country.
