Latin American Regulators Unite to Tackle Illegal Gambling and Highlight Risks for Minors

During the regulators’ panel at GAT Expo Cartagena—one of the most significant gaming industry events in Latin America—Jesús Mariano Acevedo emphasized the importance of international cooperation and collaboration with operators to tackle the sector’s main challenges.

“These types of panels are very important and valuable because they bring together the public sector, the private sector, and different jurisdictions,” he stated, stressing that “the regulator is not the enemy of the operator; we need to work together.” He added, “The only way to fight illegal gambling is through joint efforts between legal operators and regulators.”

Illegal Gambling on the Rise

A central theme of the conference was the growth of illegal gambling in the region, a phenomenon that, according to Acevedo, “is happening across Latin America” and requires a coordinated response. “It’s a battle we are fighting relentlessly,” he said, calling for greater involvement from all levels of government, including prosecutors and the judiciary.

Regulatory Fragmentation and Challenges in Argentina

Acevedo explained that Argentina has a complex regulatory framework, with 24 independent jurisdictions: “Each jurisdiction regulates gambling in its own way, which creates both advantages and difficulties.” Among the main issues, he pointed to the lack of agility in blocking illegal platforms, since the process requires judicial intervention. “That process is very long, cumbersome, and not agile,” he noted.

Unlike countries with national regulators, where blocking can be preventive, in Argentina “every time we detect an illegal platform we are obliged to go to court,” he explained.

Progress in Combating Illegal Gambling

The LOTBA president highlighted concrete progress in Buenos Aires, such as the creation of a specialized prosecutor’s office and the shutdown of multiple illegal platforms. “We closed more than 13 illegal platforms last year,” he said, adding that these operations also dismantled networks linked to other crimes.

One of the most innovative measures has been targeting influencers who promote illegal sites. “We have reported more than 120 influencers for promoting illegal gambling,” Acevedo revealed, noting that these actions also aim to raise public awareness: “It doesn’t matter which celebrity is involved—the important thing is that it brings the issue into the spotlight.”

Growing Risks for Minors and Youth Gambling Addiction

The regulator warned about a growing problem: minors accessing illegal online gambling. “When it’s a child and a screen, adults often leave them alone, as if there were no risk,” he cautioned.

He shared concrete cases showing the seriousness of the issue, including minors accessing illegal platforms through third parties or “cashiers.” “Some kids end up with gambling addiction problems,” he said, stressing the need for stronger parental control and education.

He explained how these networks operate: “A minor sends money to a cashier, who creates a user account for them on an illegal platform,” bypassing regulated system controls.

Regulation, Technology, and Responsible Gaming

Acevedo emphasized that legal platforms have stricter safeguards, such as user registration and validations that prevent minors from playing. “On authorized sites, it’s almost impossible for a minor to gamble,” he assured.

He also highlighted initiatives like biometric controls and awareness campaigns. “We launched a campaign called ‘Talking is Winning,’” he explained, aimed at raising awareness and encouraging dialogue between parents and children.

The Strategic Role of Operators

Finally, the LOTBA president underlined the importance of legal operators as allies of the state. “More legal gambling means less illegal gambling,” he said, adding that the sector also plays a key role in funding social programs: “In Buenos Aires, 80% of gambling revenue goes to social causes.”

In conclusion, the panel made clear that the future of the industry will depend on the ability of regulators, operators, and governments to work together in a context where technology advances faster than regulations. “Betting has always existed and will continue to exist,” Acevedo concluded, “which is why we need a modern, coordinated, and effective approach to regulation.”