Buenos Aires Legislature to approve online gaming licenses

The City of Buenos Aires will join Buenos Aires Province and approve online betting without limit of licenses that may be granted to physical or legal persons. The Constitution of the City of Buenos Aires is restrictive with regard to games of chance, but the agreement with the Province will let it avoid prohibitions.

According to statements last year, when the City Parliament moved on with the initiative, considering that it is a business of more than us$ 133.4 million, of which the city could collect around US$ 7.7 million, a 5,83% of the total, a number that several members of the opposition considered laughable, specially due to the harm it could cause.

The law generated strong tensions at the interior of the government coalition. Several members are against games of chance; however, some legislators will approve regulation.

"They seek to allow gaming and the participation of private parties, while, according to the constitution, in the City of Buenos Aires, gaming activities are only for the state, and very limited. It will replace bingos, casinos, lottery agencies and even illegal gaming,” commented from the opposition.

"The City regulates, administrates and operates games of chance, games of skill and mutuel bets, and privatization or tenders are not allowed, except towards distribution agencies. Collection is allocated to social development,” points Article 50 of the Constitution of the City.

The deal with the Province is key to advance with the possibility that prívate parties enter the business. The agreement signed by both jurisdictions months ago considers the figure of online agency that habilitates the whole spectrum of bets that, otherwise, would be banned in the District: private games are allowed in the Province.

Buenos Aires Lottery (LOTBA) will deliver operating licenses so “Online gaming agencies” may operate.