Kaizen warns Buenos Aires ban could push gamblers to offshore sites

Kaizen Gaming cautioned that plans to prohibit internet betting in Buenos Aires province risk sending more players to illegal offshore sites. Gabriel Buenos, a senior regulatory affairs manager at Kaizen Gaming, said the operator favours strong regulation but cautioned against steps that would send more players offshore. The company's Betano brand holds a licence in the province.

Buenos said his concern is “any measure that makes the regulated offering unviable”, because it would push players towards illegal sites. According to Buenos, Betano is closely following both the ban proposal and the legislative debate. He called the company's stance “a long-term position” that does not hinge on any specific initiative. Buenos added that stronger enforcement against illegal operators should form part of any regulatory package.

Gonzalo Atanasof, who heads the Provincial Institute of Lottery and Casinos, urged immediate steps to curb gambling advertising, especially where young people see it. He cautioned, though, that banning advertising altogether might help illegal operators. Atanasof said that stopping licensed operators from advertising would remove only their advertising, since the state supervises those companies. The regulator added that provincial authorities have filed over 80 judicial complaints against people promoting unlicensed gambling sites.

Buenos also accepted the need for tougher enforcement, and said scrutiny should extend to payment providers and promoters of illegal operators. Betano will keep talking with policymakers while the province weighs what happens to its regulated market, he said.