Argentina to Begin Federal Debate on Gambling Ad Ban

The Chamber of Deputies of Argentina will debate a federal measure on Wednesday, 27 November, to ban all gambling advertising and sponsorships.

The debate has been expedited after five opposition blocs in Congress united behind the proposal, which aims to prohibit any form of advertising or sponsorship promoting gaming and betting companies.

Civic Committees, tasked with creating a federal framework to address gambling-related harm and pathological behaviour, strongly support the measure. Committees on Addiction Prevention, Social Action, Communications, Criminal Legislation and Families and Youth are finalising policies for a federal bill on gambling protections. The proposed law would supersede existing state regulations.

Strengthening protections for minors is at the heart of the committees’ efforts. This summer, Jorge Macri, Chief Governor of Buenos Aires, banned new gambling licenses after reports revealed that 34% of minors in the city had gambled by bypassing adult verification checks.

The bill proposes strict rules on gambling promotion, including:

• Banning betting company logos on sports jerseys.

• Prohibiting advertisements in digital and traditional media.

• Eliminating welcome bonuses on online gambling platforms.

• Restricting payment methods, such as banning credit systems and social assistance cards for gambling transactions.

The proposal has drawn support from diverse political groups, including Unión por la Patria, Encuentro Federal, the Civic Coalition and left-wing factions. However, the ruling coalition, which includes PRO, La Libertad Avanza and parts of the UCR, advocates for a more lenient approach that would allow sponsorships to continue.

The minority opinion pushes for a broader ban on all forms of gambling advertising and sponsorships, though it lacks detailed guidelines.

Lawmakers face a deadline of 30 November, when a three-month recess begins. They aim to ensure the measure is debated and voted on before the recess.