Argentina's Senate faces renewed calls to advance online gambling bill
Regulation2 min read
Argentina’s Catholic Church and opposition lawmakers are urging the Senate to consider a bill restricting online gambling advertising before ordinary sessions end on 30 November, the parties said. The proposal passed the Chamber of Deputies by 139 votes to 36, with 59 abstentions, in 2024, but still needs Senate approval to become law. Senators unanimously backed a motion to prioritise it on 29 October, though that does not ensure a vote.
A push to curb online gambling advertising has drawn support from Argentina’s Catholic Church and opposition lawmakers, who want the Senate to advance a bill before ordinary sessions end on 30 November. The Episcopal Commission for Social Ministry (CEPAS) has begun a petition in favour of the measure, while deputies led by Victoria Tolosa Paz have asked to meet the Senate committees reviewing it.
The Chamber of Deputies passed the proposal on 27 November 2024 by 139 votes to 36, with 59 abstentions, but it still needs Senate approval to become law. Senators unanimously supported a motion from Lucía Corpacci on 29 October to prioritise the bill, although that does not guarantee a vote or approval.
In an October letter to senators, CEPAS urged lawmakers to resume consideration immediately and reach the agreements needed to pass the bill. The commission said gambling-related harm was affecting families, schools, sports clubs and communities, particularly children and vulnerable people. CEPAS had previously asked the lower house to consider the bill in November 2024 and appealed to the Senate in February 2025.
The bill would bar online gambling ads across media, including television, radio and social networks, as well as endorsements by influencers, athletes, celebrities and other public figures. The restrictions would cover sports sponsorship and stadium naming rights, along with gambling ads on team clothing and at grounds. Concerts, festivals and other cultural events would also be off limits for such promotion. Ads and promotions could still appear inside authorised gambling venues, betting agencies and lottery outlets, but would need prominent health warnings and details of assistance services.
The proposal would bar welcome bonuses and prevent under-18s from accessing gambling, while requiring operators to verify identities. Platforms would use facial recognition tied to RENAPER, the national population register, to confirm users’ ages and identities. Verification would occur when users register, when a session begins, while they play and before winnings are paid out.
Electronic wallet providers would have to prevent minors from using their services for gambling, and gambling payments by credit card would be banned. Electronic wallets could use only funds already in the account, without credit functions, and would face daily transaction limits. A proposed national self-exclusion register would combine provincial data and cover jurisdictions without registers of their own. Operators would have to identify people on the register and stop them gambling until their exclusion expired.
The bill retains parliamentary status until 1 March 2027. For the bill to be considered in extraordinary sessions, the executive would have to put it on the agenda. If senators amend the text, it would return to the Chamber of Deputies for further consideration.