Buenos Aires Province began withholding 2% from winnings on online games of immediate resolution, including virtual slots, on 8 September. The provincial government expects to collect between ARS35bn and ARS40bn per month.
The measure was introduced through Resolution 1149/2026 of the Provincial Institute of Lotteries and Casinos, signed on 1 September. The levy applies to seven licensed operators: Bet365, Betano, Betsson, BetWarrior, BPlay, Sportsbet and Stake. Sports betting is not covered by the resolution.
The charge is provided for under Article 137 of provincial Law 15.079, passed in December 2018. The law sets a range of 1% to 3% on prizes from sequential wagers in games of immediate resolution. The new resolution fixes the rate at 2%. Players are the payers; operators act as tax agents. Platforms must file weekly declarations and remit withheld sums monthly.
Revenue is distributed according to the formula set out in Decree 356/04: first to provincial municipalities, with the remainder going to the Fondo de Progreso e Inclusión Social (FOPIS), which funds health, education and social development programmes. The authorities plan to direct part of the proceeds to tackling gambling addiction, particularly among teenagers.
Carlos Bianco, Buenos Aires government minister, confirmed the revenue forecast at ARS35bn to ARS40bn per month. He stressed that this was the application of a provision already in Law 15.079.
Meanwhile the province has stepped up enforcement against illegal gambling: more than 800 complaints have been filed against unlicensed sites, with the latest wave leading to the blocking of 537 domains. Buenos Aires remains the only Argentine province requiring biometric identification to access licensed platforms.
