Lawmakers in Argentina’s Buenos Aires province have introduced a bill proposing tighter controls on online betting, including stronger identity checks, session limits, advertising restrictions and measures against illegal operators.
Deputies led by Facundo Tignanelli filed Bill D-3634/26-27 on September 29. The 64-article proposal would amend the province’s existing online gambling framework rather than establish a new regulated market.
Bill Adds Stronger Player Controls
The proposal would require betting accounts to remain personal and non-transferable. Operators would use real-time facial biometric verification when customers open accounts, start sessions, make deposits or withdrawals, or place bets above a threshold set by implementing regulations.
Online betting sessions would last a maximum of 60 consecutive minutes, followed by automatic logout and a one-hour lockout. Three logins within 24 hours would trigger a 24-hour block.
Platforms would also display time and spending information and issue a warning after 30 minutes of activity.
Advertising and Promotions Face New Rules
The bill would require prior approval from the Provincial Institute of Lottery and Casinos for betting advertising.
It would prohibit marketing aimed at minors and advertising on public transport and in public spaces. Advertisements would also need to carry the warning “Betting is not a game.”
Operators would be prohibited from describing betting as a game or entertainment. Welcome bonuses, free bets and other incentives designed to encourage customers to start or continue gambling would also be banned.
Allowing minors to gamble because of inadequate identity verification would constitute a very serious violation, with licence revocation listed as the principal sanction.
Illegal Operators Face Faster Enforcement
The proposal would create a specialist prosecutor’s office for illegal online betting. Courts could order the blocking of websites, applications and digital accounts, suspend payment channels and remove illegal advertising within six hours.
The bill would also require operators to contribute an amount equivalent to their spending on advertising, sponsorships, promotions and customer acquisition to a fund supporting gambling-harm prevention and mental health initiatives.
Municipalities would receive 70% of the fund, while the provincial Health Ministry would administer the remaining 30%.
Proposal Remains Under Legislative Review
Bill D-3634/26-27 remains under consideration by the Buenos Aires provincial legislature and has not become law. The proposal forms part of a broader wave of gambling-related initiatives currently under review by the Chamber of Deputies.
If approved by both the provincial Chamber of Deputies and Senate, the measures would introduce significant new compliance requirements for licensed online betting operators, particularly around player verification, session management, advertising and responsible gambling.
