Argentina’s Chamber of Deputies has approved a bill that bans the advertising of online gambling and sports betting.

As reported by SBC Noticias, the bill received the approval of the Lower House with 139 affirmative votes, 36 negative and 59 abstentions. It must now pass through the Senate, however, a date is yet to be confirmed.

With the aim of “preventing childhood cybergambling, Article 8 of the text established the prohibition of any advertising on social media platforms and the internet, on public roads and across existing or created media in the future. 

In addition to advertising, the bill also prohibits the offer of welcome bonuses, one of the most widely used user acquisition tools by operators. 

Sports teams included in the bill

The proposal also includes the sponsorship of sports teams and individual athletes, as well as any promotion of online gambling and sports betting in stadiums, their LED signage, sports spaces and other public spaces. 

If it progresses, the proposal will hit Argentine sport hard, especially in professional football. Currently, teams such as Boca Juniors, River Plate and the Argentine national team are sponsored by the gambling industry.

Reacting to the news, Betsson, sponsor of Boca Juniors, told SBC: “At Betsson, we are closely monitoring the developments surrounding the Federal Bill to ban gambling advertising and sponsorships in Argentina.

“As a company, we strongly support regulated online gaming markets that are commercially sound and well-functioning. Such markets not only enhance player safety but also contribute significantly to the economic well-being of stakeholders, including football clubs, and the society as a whole through tax revenue.

“We believe that a robust licensing system, coupled with reasonable and effective regulations, ensures a sustainable balance between public concerns and the benefits of the industry. Blanket bans, however, have historically not achieved these objectives but instead often lead to unintended consequences, such as pushing players towards unlicensed and unregulated operators.”

The company also argued that “properly managed marketing” plays a role in ensuring that regulated operations can “inform players and distinguish themselves from unlicensed competitors”.

Marathon session to discuss online gambling and betting

The session of the Chamber of Deputies began around noon and lasted almost 12 hours, with legislators voting article by article on more than 50 sections of the regulation, each of which were approved by the majority.

The proposal received broad support from opposition sectors, however, it was rejected by the ruling party, La Libertad Avanza, and the PRO.

There is speculation that the regulation could be challenged judicially. In Argentina, gambling is the jurisdiction of the provincial government and some of the provisions of the bill, such as the prohibition of welcome bonuses, could be considered unconstitutional.

For example, PRO deputy Silvina Giudici explained that the rule is “too regulatory and extensive, and incurs in some issues that may cast doubt on the constitutionality of the rule.”