Deputies in Buenos Aires province have filed D-3634/26-27, a 64-article bill seeking tighter controls on online betting. Led by Facundo Tignanelli and Micaela Olivetto, the proposal would amend the existing framework.
Operators would need to use real-time facial biometrics when players register, log in, deposit, withdraw or place bets above a threshold set later. Sessions would be limited to 60 consecutive minutes, followed by an automatic logout and a one-hour block. Three logins within a day would trigger a 24-hour block. Interfaces must display session time and spending and issue a warning after half an hour.
Advertisements would require approval from the Provincial Institute of Lottery and Casinos. The bill would prohibit ads aimed at minors, placement in transport and public places, welcome bonuses, free bets and incentives to continue. Operators would also have to carry the warning 'Betting is not a game' and avoid describing betting as a game or entertainment. Failure to prevent minors from accessing a platform through weak verification could lead to licence revocation.
The proposal would create an illegal-betting prosecutor with powers to seek the blocking of websites, apps and accounts, the suspension of payments and the removal of advertisements within six hours. Operators would pay into a gambling-addiction fund an amount equal to their spending on advertising, sponsorship, promotions and customer acquisition. Of that amount, 70% would go to municipalities and the remainder to the health ministry.
The bill must pass the provincial Chamber of Deputies and Senate. The chamber's gambling committee resumed work in September with 27 initiatives under consideration.
