Argentina’s government has formally introduced new legislation targeting online gambling, advertising practices and illegal betting platforms, marking the first major gambling-related initiative under President Javier Milei’s administration.

On May 22, cabinet chief Manuel Adorni announced through X that the government had sent four bills to Congress, including a proposed Gambling Addiction Law drafted by the Secretariat of Comprehensive Policies on Drugs of the Nation (Sedronar) together with the Ministry of Health. President Milei later reposted the announcement.

The proposal arrives as lawmakers continue debating broader gambling regulations that had already progressed through Argentina’s Chamber of Deputies. While earlier discussions focused heavily on advertising restrictions and public health concerns, the latest government-backed text places stronger emphasis on identity verification, protection of minors and criminal penalties for unauthorized operators.

According to the government, the legislation aims to reinforce safeguards around online betting while preserving legal gambling activity operating within regulatory frameworks.

“These are the changes that the new package of laws sent to the National Congress will introduce, if sanctioned: Gambling Addiction Law, to combat illegal online betting platforms in order to reinforce the protection of minors,” the government stated.

Government Targets Illegal Betting Operations

The proposed law would classify gambling addiction prevention and treatment as a national public health policy.

One of the main measures would prohibit minors from accessing online gambling platforms while making identity verification mandatory across licensed operators. The bill also extends into Argentina’s criminal code by creating new offences linked specifically to unauthorized online gambling activity.

Under the proposal, operating illegal betting systems could carry prison sentences ranging from three to six years. Additional penalties would apply if operators target minors.

A new Article 301 would introduce sentences of two to four years for individuals or businesses supplying services, materials or equipment to unauthorized gambling operators. The same article would also increase penalties for those promoting illegal operators through advertising activities.

Authorities described the measures as Argentina’s first federal criminal provisions directly focused on the online gambling sector.

According to G3 Newswire, the proposal would also assign enforcement responsibilities across several agencies. ENACOM, Argentina’s communications authority, would gain powers to block unauthorized gambling content. The Central Bank would prohibit transfers from accounts belonging to minors to gambling operators. The National Securities Commission would oversee virtual asset providers supporting unauthorized platforms, while NIC Argentina would suspend domains connected to illegal gambling sites.

Sedronar would oversee treatment and prevention programs under the legislation.

Advertising and Payment Restrictions Expand

Separate legislative efforts already approved in Argentina’s Chamber of Deputies contain wider restrictions covering advertising, sponsorships and payment systems.

The lower house approved a bill regulating online betting promotion, gambling harm prevention and age verification by a vote of 139 in favor, 36 against and 59 abstentions. The proposal still requires Senate approval.

That version seeks to prohibit gambling advertising across television, radio, social networks, public spaces and online media. Journalists, streamers and influencers would also face restrictions on promoting betting products.

The text would additionally ban welcome bonuses, sponsorship agreements involving sports clubs or athletes, and advertising signage inside stadiums and sporting venues. Gambling promotions at festivals, concerts and cultural events would also become prohibited.

Rogelio Iparraguirre, vice-president of the Addiction Prevention and Drug Trafficking Control Committee, said the issue affects society more broadly.

“This is not a law for the prevention of gambling disorder and regulation of online betting for minors: it is a law of regulation and prevention for society as a whole, because young people do not come down from a flying saucer; they are part of, and above all the product of, an adult society,” Iparraguirre said.

The bill would also require schools to introduce classes explaining gambling risks and gambling-related harm, alongside public awareness campaigns promoting responsible gambling.

New Compliance Requirements for Operators

If approved, gambling operators would face tighter operational requirements inside Argentina.

Platforms would need to establish legal entities within the country, maintain physical offices and comply with local tax and commercial laws. Authorities could immediately block sites failing to meet those conditions.

Biometric identity verification systems would become mandatory to prevent underage gambling access. Platforms would also need to display warning messages related to gambling addiction risks.

The legislation would restrict participation by several groups, including gambling operator employees, athletes, coaches, referees, judges tied to sporting events, self-excluded individuals and people listed in the Child Support Debtors Register.

Payment rules would tighten as well. Credit cards would no longer be permitted for gambling transactions. Instead, only debit cards with daily bank limits and electronic wallets funded through existing balances would remain authorized. Accounts opened through Argentina’s National Social Security Administration would also be barred from gambling payments.

Iparraguirre described the legislation as an important first step toward addressing wider social concerns linked to online betting.

“Today we took a great step to begin fighting the problem generated by online betting, which affects children, young people and adults,” he said.

The proposed reforms now move to the Senate, where lawmakers will decide whether Argentina adopts one of its most extensive national gambling regulatory frameworks to date.