Gambling is regulated at the provincial level; each province and Buenos Aires City set their own rules. Recent federal laws mandate biometric ID verification for online gambling.
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Regulatory AuthorityProvincial authorities (e.g., Lotería de la Ciudad, IPLyC); federal oversight for biometric ID via RENAPER
License CostVaries
Regulation by Activity Type
Casinos
Regulated
Online Casinos
Regulated
Betting
Regulated
Online Betting
Regulated
Lotteries
Regulated
Poker
Regulated
Highlights
Argentina has a fragmented regulatory system; each province and Buenos Aires City set their own gambling laws and licensing.
A new federal bill proposes a nationwide ban on online gambling advertising, sponsorships, and celebrity endorsements.
Biometric digital identity verification using the national ID (RENAPER) is mandatory for all online gambling platforms.
Online gambling is only legal where expressly authorized; most provinces require operators to obtain local licenses.
Taxation varies by jurisdiction: federal tax on online gambling is 5%, with additional provincial GGR taxes (e.g., 25% in Buenos Aires Province).
Strict age verification is enforced; users must complete biometric ID checks each time they access or withdraw from online platforms.
The federal government is moving to standardize protections against underage gambling and addiction, aiming for unified national standards.
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Legislation
Primary Legislation
Gambling regulation in Argentina is governed by a complex and fragmented legal framework, primarily due to the country’s federal structure. The key principles and legislative pillars are as follows:
Provincial Autonomy: Each of Argentina’s 23 provinces and the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires has the authority to regulate gambling activities within its own territory. This means there is no single, unified national law governing gambling; instead, each jurisdiction enacts its own laws and regulations for both land-based and online gambling.
General Prohibition Principle: Gambling is generally prohibited unless expressly authorized by a competent authority. This principle is codified in Section 301 bis of the Argentine National Criminal Code, which criminalizes unauthorized gambling operations.
Provincial Legislation: Each province and the City of Buenos Aires have enacted their own regulatory acts governing various forms of gambling, including casinos, lotteries, sports betting, bingo, and online gambling. These laws define the scope of permitted activities, the types of games allowed, and the conditions for operation within each jurisdiction.
Recent Federal Initiatives: While regulation remains primarily provincial, there are ongoing efforts to establish federal standards, particularly concerning player protection, advertising restrictions, and biometric age verification for online gambling. Recent legislative developments have introduced nationwide requirements for digital identity verification using the national digital ID system (RENAPER) and have proposed comprehensive bans on gambling advertising and sponsorship.
Data Protection Laws: All gambling operators must comply with Argentina’s national data protection legislation, particularly when handling personal and biometric data for identity verification and user protection.
Regulatory Authority
Oversight and enforcement of gambling laws in Argentina are decentralized:
Provincial Regulatory Bodies: Each province and the City of Buenos Aires have their own regulatory authorities responsible for licensing, supervising, and enforcing gambling laws within their jurisdictions. These bodies oversee both land-based and online gambling activities.
National Authorities (Limited Role): The federal government, through the National Congress, retains authority over criminal law (including anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing provisions) and data protection. National authorities also play a role in setting standards for digital identity verification and may intervene to establish minimum federal protections or harmonize certain regulatory aspects.
Key Legal Responsibilities of Regulatory Authorities:
Authorizing and supervising gambling operations within their jurisdiction
Enforcing compliance with local and national gambling laws
Implementing and overseeing player protection measures, including age and identity verification
Ensuring compliance with data protection and responsible gambling requirements
License Types
Overview of the Gambling Licensing System in Argentina
Argentina operates a decentralized gambling licensing system. Each of the 23 provinces and the City of Buenos Aires independently regulates and licenses gambling activities within its jurisdiction. There is currently no unified national licensing regime, though recent legislative efforts aim to harmonize standards, especially for online gambling.
Types of Gambling Licenses
Land-Based Casino Licenses: Issued by provincial authorities for physical casinos and gaming halls.
Online Gambling Licenses: Each province and the City of Buenos Aires can issue licenses for online casino games, sports betting, poker, and other digital gambling activities.
Bingo and Lottery Licenses: Separate licenses are issued for bingo halls and lottery operations, often managed or directly operated by state-owned entities.
Betting Licenses: Licenses for fixed-odds and pari-mutuel betting, including sports and horse racing, are available in many provinces.
Supplier Registrations: In some jurisdictions, suppliers of gaming technology and services must register with the local regulator, although this is typically a registration rather than a full licensing process.
Application Process and Duration
Application Submission: Applicants must submit detailed documentation to the relevant provincial regulator. This typically includes corporate information, business plans, technical system details, and evidence of financial solvency.
Eligibility: Only locally incorporated companies or foreign companies with a registered local branch may apply. In some cases, partnerships with local entities are required.
Background Checks: Criminal record checks are standard for key individuals. Some provinces may require additional probity checks, but these are generally limited compared to other jurisdictions.
Technical Certification: Gaming systems and platforms must be certified by recognized testing laboratories, which may also need to be registered with the regulator.
Duration: License terms vary by province and type, typically ranging from 5 to 15 years for online and land-based licenses. Renewal is possible upon meeting compliance and operational requirements.
Renewal Conditions: Licensees must demonstrate ongoing compliance with regulatory, technical, and responsible gaming requirements to qualify for renewal.
Financial Requirements and Licensing Costs
Application Fees: Fees differ by jurisdiction and license type. For example, in Buenos Aires, online gambling application fees may range from several thousand to tens of thousands of US dollars (or local currency equivalent).
Annual Fees: Licensees are required to pay annual maintenance fees, which can be fixed amounts or calculated as a percentage of gross gaming revenue, depending on the province and activity.
Financial Guarantees: Applicants may be required to provide bank guarantees or demonstrate minimum capital reserves to ensure operational stability and player protection.
Supplier Registration Fees: Where applicable, supplier registration involves lower fees and less scrutiny than full operator licenses.
Key Requirements for Obtaining and Maintaining a License
Biometric Identity Verification: All online gambling operators must implement digital identity verification using the national digital ID system (RENAPER), including facial biometrics, to confirm user identity and age at every platform access and withdrawal.
Responsible Gambling Measures: Licensees must have systems to prevent underage gambling and support responsible gaming, including self-exclusion tools and problem gambling resources.
Data Protection Compliance: Operators must comply with national data protection laws, ensuring secure storage and processing of personal and biometric data.
Operational Integrity: Regular audits and ongoing technical certification are required to maintain license validity.
Local Presence: Operators must maintain a local corporate presence and, in some cases, partner with local companies or state-owned entities.
Advertising and Marketing Restrictions: Operators must comply with strict advertising rules, including a nationwide ban on gambling advertisements and sponsorships, as well as prohibitions on offering welcome bonuses.
Biometric ID verification, local incorporation, technical certification
Application & annual fees; capital requirements
Bingo/Lottery
Bingo/Lottery License
Provincial Regulator or State Entity
Varies
State oversight, operational controls
License fees; revenue share
Betting
Betting License
Provincial Regulator
5–10 years
Technical certification, responsible gaming tools
Application & annual fees
Supplier
Supplier Registration
Provincial Regulator
Annual
Registration, technical documentation
Registration fee
Gambling Tax
Tax Rates for Gambling Operators in Argentina
Argentina’s gambling taxation framework is decentralized, with each of the 23 provinces and the City of Buenos Aires setting their own tax rates and requirements for gambling operators. There is no unified federal tax regime for gambling; thus, tax rates and bases can vary significantly between jurisdictions. However, some general patterns are observed across the country.
Type of Gambling
Typical Tax Rate
Tax Base
Jurisdiction
Land-based Casinos
10% – 30%
Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR)
Provincial
Online Gambling (including Sports Betting)
10% – 25%
Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR)
Provincial
Lottery
Varies (often 10% – 15%)
Ticket Sales or GGR
Provincial
National Online Gambling Tax (Impuesto PAIS)
30%
Payments to foreign gambling sites
Federal
Credit/Debit Card Surcharge (for foreign sites)
8%
Transaction value
Federal
Basis for Taxation
Most provinces tax gambling operators on Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR), which is the difference between the amount wagered and the winnings paid out.
Some provinces may also apply taxes on turnover (total bets placed) or on ticket sales for lotteries.
Federal taxes primarily target payments to foreign (unlicensed) gambling operators, applying additional surcharges to discourage offshore gambling.
Tax Reporting and Payment Requirements
Operators must register with the relevant provincial tax authority and comply with local tax filing and payment schedules.
Tax filings are typically monthly, requiring operators to submit detailed reports on GGR, turnover, and other relevant financial data.
Payments are usually due monthly, coinciding with the submission of tax returns.
Operators are required to maintain accurate records and may be subject to audits by provincial authorities.
For federal-level taxes on payments to foreign operators, financial institutions are responsible for withholding and remitting the tax at the point of transaction.
Tax Incentives, Exemptions, and Special Provisions
There are generally no broad tax incentives for gambling operators at the provincial level; tax rates are set by each jurisdiction and apply uniformly to all licensed operators.
Some provinces may offer reduced rates or temporary exemptions as part of promotional efforts to attract new operators, but these are rare and subject to local negotiation.
Winnings paid to players are typically not subject to additional taxes at the operator level, but some provinces may require withholding taxes on large prizes.
Operators licensed in Argentina are exempt from the federal surcharges that apply to payments made to foreign gambling websites.
Prohibited Individuals
Age Restrictions and Identification Requirements
The minimum legal age for participating in any form of gambling in Argentina is 18 years old.
All online gambling platforms are required to implement digital identity verification using the national digital ID system (RENAPER), which includes facial biometrics to confirm the user’s age and identity.
Biometric verification is mandatory each time a user accesses an online gambling platform, not just at account creation. This measure is designed to prevent account sharing and unauthorized access by minors.
Biometric ID verification is also required for withdrawals from gambling accounts, enhancing financial accountability and further preventing underage access.
Strict data protection requirements are in place: operators must securely handle and store personal data in compliance with national data protection laws.
Prohibited Activities and Game Restrictions
Gambling and gaming activities are generally prohibited unless expressly authorized by a competent authority. Each province may have its own list of permitted and prohibited games.
Unlicensed gambling operations are strictly forbidden. Only authorized operators may offer gambling services.
Specific game restrictions can vary by province, but unauthorized or unregulated games—including certain online casino games, betting, and lotteries—are prohibited unless licensed locally.
Operators must ensure that all games comply with responsible gambling requirements and cannot offer products that target or appeal to minors.
Advertising and Marketing Limitations
There is a nationwide ban on online gambling advertising across all platforms, including social media, public spaces, and digital media.
Operators are prohibited from sponsoring sports teams, athletes, or venues. Naming rights for stadiums and training facilities associated with gambling brands are also revoked.
Celebrity endorsements, including the use of public figures, influencers, and fictional characters to promote gambling, are strictly banned.
Operators are not allowed to offer welcome bonuses or other promotional incentives designed to attract new players.
All advertising materials and official rules for any permitted promotions must be provided in Spanish if targeting Argentine residents.
Responsible Gambling and Player Protection Measures
Mandatory biometric identity and age verification are required at every login and withdrawal, ensuring ongoing compliance and preventing underage gambling.
Operators must implement robust data protection and privacy measures, informing users about data collection and obtaining explicit consent.
There are requirements to provide information and access to responsible gambling tools, such as self-exclusion options and limits on deposits or play, though implementation can vary by province.
Operators are expected to monitor player behavior for signs of problem gambling and intervene when necessary, in line with best practices for responsible gambling.
National and provincial authorities are working to harmonize responsible gambling standards and protections, with a focus on preventing gambling addiction and safeguarding vulnerable groups, especially minors.
Geographic and Location Restrictions
Gambling venues and online platforms must be licensed and authorized within the specific province or jurisdiction where they operate; unauthorized cross-border or offshore gambling is prohibited.
Some provinces have imposed additional location-based restrictions, such as limiting the number of physical gambling venues or suspending new licenses to address concerns about problem gambling and underage access.
Operators must ensure that access to online gambling platforms is geo-restricted to authorized jurisdictions within Argentina, preventing participation from areas where gambling is not permitted.
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Timeline
Year/Date
Event
1882
National Lottery (Lotería Nacional) established, marking the beginning of formal state involvement in gambling activities in Argentina.
1971
First provincial lottery created in the Province of Buenos Aires, initiating the trend of provincial-level gambling regulation.
1999
Buenos Aires Province introduces its own regulatory framework for land-based casinos and betting, formalizing provincial autonomy over gambling regulation.
2016
Section 301 bis added to the Argentine National Criminal Code, establishing that gambling is prohibited unless expressly authorized by competent authorities.
December 2018
City of Buenos Aires passes law to regulate online gambling, including casino, poker, and lottery games, making it one of the first jurisdictions in Argentina to do so.
February 2020
Online gambling regulations in the City of Buenos Aires are finalized, setting out licensing criteria for operators.
September 2020
Licensing regime in Buenos Aires City amended to allow local land-based casino operators to apply for online gambling licenses.
April 2021
First online casinos launched in Buenos Aires under temporary permissions, following COVID-19 lockdown revenue losses.
2024
Federal legislative initiatives begin to create standardized national gambling regulations, including stricter advertising bans and biometric identity verification requirements for online gambling platforms.
2025
Argentina implements nationwide biometric-enabled identity verification for all online gambling platforms, aiming to prevent underage gambling and enhance player protection.
Requirements
Software Certification and Technical Standards
All gambling platforms must utilize software that is certified by recognized testing laboratories, which may require the lab to be registered with the relevant provincial regulatory authority. Certification ensures compliance with technical standards for fairness, randomness, and system integrity.
Platforms must integrate robust biometric identity verification systems, specifically using Argentina’s national digital ID (RENAPER), including facial recognition technology, to verify user identity and age at every login and before withdrawals.
Technical systems must support real-time biometric checks to prevent account sharing and unauthorized access, particularly by minors.
Operators are required to deploy secure, stable, and auditable gaming systems that can be monitored by regulators for compliance.
Data Protection, Privacy Measures, and Server Location
Operators must comply with Argentina’s national data protection laws, ensuring secure handling, storage, and processing of all personal and biometric data collected during identity verification and gaming activities.
Explicit user consent is required for the collection and use of personal and biometric data, with users retaining rights to access, modify, or withdraw their data.
Operators must implement technical and organizational measures to prevent unauthorized access, data breaches, and misuse of personal information.
Regulators may require that servers hosting gambling data be located within Argentina or in jurisdictions that provide equivalent data protection standards, ensuring regulatory oversight and data security.
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) Procedures
Operators must implement stringent AML procedures, including real-time monitoring of transactions, detection of suspicious activities, and prompt reporting to the relevant financial intelligence units.
Comprehensive KYC protocols are mandatory, requiring verification of each user’s identity through RENAPER and biometric checks at account creation, each login, and prior to any withdrawal.
Operators are required to maintain detailed records of all customer verifications, transactions, and AML-related activities for regulatory inspection.
Financial Reporting, Auditing Standards, and Record-Keeping
Operators must maintain accurate and up-to-date financial records, including all gaming transactions, deposits, withdrawals, and user account activities.
Regular submission of financial reports to the relevant regulatory authorities is required, following standardized formats and schedules set by each province or federal law.
Annual independent audits of financial statements and gaming systems are mandatory to ensure transparency, integrity, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Operators must retain all records, including user activity logs and financial data, for a minimum period specified by the regulator, typically several years, to facilitate audits and investigations.
Technical Implementation Requirements for Responsible Gambling Tools
Operators must integrate responsible gambling tools directly into their platforms, including features for self-exclusion, deposit and betting limits, time-out periods, and reality checks.
Systems must provide real-time monitoring and alerts for signs of problematic gambling behavior, enabling timely intervention and support for at-risk users.
Responsible gambling features must be accessible, user-friendly, and available in Spanish to ensure effective communication with all users.
Operators are required to display responsible gambling information prominently and provide links to support services and helplines.
Gambling regulations are subject to change. The information provided on this page was accurate at the time of publication, but may not reflect the current regulatory landscape. Always consult official sources for the most up-to-date information before making any gambling-related decisions.