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Argentina’s government, led by President Javier Milei, has introduced a bill in the Senate aimed at increasing penalties for the operation and promotion of unauthorized online gambling platforms operating outside the legal framework.
The initiative was drafted by the Secretariat of Comprehensive Drug Policies (Sedronar) and bears the signatures of Javier Milei, Cabinet Chief Manuel Adorni, Health Minister Mario Lugones, and Security Minister Alejandra Monteoliva.
The bill’s main objectives are to eradicate unauthorized digital gambling operations, prohibit minors from accessing gambling platforms, and strengthen the prevention of problem gambling as a nationwide public health policy.
One of the most significant aspects of the proposal is the tightening of the criminal framework through the introduction of new criminal offenses targeting illegal gambling activities. The bill creates Article 301 ter of the Criminal Code, establishing prison sentences for individuals who facilitate illegal betting operations through financial, technological, advertising, or digital services.
Under the proposal, those operating unauthorized betting platforms could face prison sentences ranging from three to six years, while individuals or companies facilitating these operations through financial, technological, or advertising services could receive sentences of two to four years.
Regarding advertising, the project establishes a total ban on promoting illegal gambling platforms across all formats, including social media, traditional media outlets, and outdoor advertising. It also places responsibility on agencies, production companies, influencers, and media organizations involved in disseminating such promotions.
For licensed operators, the bill proposes stricter advertising limitations. Campaigns would not be allowed to target minors, link gambling to social success or financial solutions, or associate gambling with alcohol or tobacco consumption.
The proposal also assigns responsibilities to several government agencies. Argentina’s National Communications Entity (Enacom) would be tasked with blocking content and advertising linked to illegal websites, while the Central Bank would be required to prevent financial transactions involving these platforms, particularly from accounts belonging to minors.
Additionally, financial institutions and payment providers would be prohibited from working with platforms lacking effective user age-verification mechanisms.
Problem gambling concerns
In the explanatory message accompanying the initiative, the government warned about “the exponential increase in access to betting platforms,” particularly among minors, arguing that the phenomenon represents a growing public health challenge.
To address this, the bill strengthens the role of Sedronar and the Ministry of Health in the prevention and treatment of gambling addiction. The proposal includes awareness campaigns, educational programs, public sector training initiatives, and the systematic production of epidemiological data.
“The bill seeks to consolidate a comprehensive approach combining prevention, education, awareness, assistance, and institutional cooperation,” the government stated, emphasizing the need for coordinated action between the federal government, provinces, and the City of Buenos Aires.
At the same time, the text preserves Argentina’s federal regulatory model by recognizing that gambling regulation falls under provincial jurisdiction, while encouraging coordination mechanisms to combat the growth of illegal digital platforms whose operations extend across jurisdictional borders.
Previous proposal remains stalled
The new initiative arrives while a separate online gambling advertising bill remains stalled in Congress.
In November 2024, Argentina’s Chamber of Deputies approved a bill seeking to ban advertising for online betting platforms. However, the proposal has so far only been discussed by one of the four Senate committees assigned to review it.
The latest recorded discussion took place in October 2025, when the Senate Health Committee, chaired by Senator Lucía Corpacci, held debates on the project, though no vote followed.
Last November, lawmakers from the Civic Coalition bloc urged the Senate to debate and approve the legislation aimed at preventing problem gambling through restrictions on online betting advertising.
Through social media, Congressman Maximiliano Ferraro called on senators not to give in to “lobbying pressure.”
“Gambling addiction is an attack on life itself. Do not let the preliminary approval of the Problem Gambling Prevention Law expire,” Ferraro wrote.