Argentina: Mendoza blocks illegal gambling sites

Garance Limouzy July 8, 2024

The city of Mendoza, Argentina, has decided to block access to unlicensed operators in public spaces.

The Provincial Institute of Games and Casinos (IPJyC) has launched this initiative to prevent underage gambling, which has become a growing concern among adolescents and children facing addiction or problem gambling. The government is providing Wi-Fi access in numerous public areas such as parks, buildings, streets, and other public spaces. It will now prevent people connected to the public Wi-Fi from accessing them.

A broader effort

This initiative is part of a broader effort. Recently, Verónica Valverde, a lawmaker member of the county parliament, presented a bill to the legislature of Mendoza proposing a biometric authentication system for online gambling. The aim is to prevent underage citizens from accessing any platforms by ensuring rigorous ID verification. Valverde explained that the current legislation inadequately addresses ID verification, allowing minors to use adult data to access online games. She stated, “Biometric data are tools already used in other contexts. Applying this method in the regulation of online gaming is essential to protect our children.” The bill garnered consensus, with lawmakers from various political affiliations supporting it.

A newly regulated market

In 2022, Mendoza approved new regulations to legalise sports betting and iGaming, two years after the legislation was first introduced. According to the law, between two and seven licenses are awarded to operators, valid for 10 years.

From the start, the regulation aimed to protect vulnerable players, particularly children, from gambling-related harm. The Commission overseeing the regulation stated that its objective is to “combat illegal gambling, protect the rights of minors, consumers, and users, promote responsible gambling, and prevent money laundering.”

Argentina’s battle against underage gambling

Mendoza is not alone in its efforts against underage gambling in Argentina. Buenos Aires recently announced a halt in issuing online casino licenses to focus on the issue. Jorge Macri, the Chief of Government of Buenos Aires, proposed several measures, including allowing and encouraging schools to block access to gambling sites.