The Chamber of Deputies in Argentina has passed a Federal Bill to ban advertising related to online gambling and sports betting throughout all Argentine provinces.
This Bill was expedited to the Lower House on November 21 and garnered approval from deputies yesterday, with 139 votes in favor, 36 against, and 59 abstentions.
Sources indicate that the Bill’s primary objective is to “prevent cyber gambling addiction in children” by enforcing a federal ban on the advertisement of online gambling and sports betting.
The prohibition on online gambling and sports betting advertisements will cover all platforms, including TV, radio, social media, the Internet, streaming services, and gaming platforms. Additionally, it will strictly ban public advertising, such as billboards, posters, and urban signage.
The Federal Ban enforces severe restrictions on gambling operators’ sponsorship activities. They are prohibited from sponsoring sports teams such as Boca Juniors (Betsson), River Plate (Codere), and Argentina’s national team XI (Stake.com), as well as individual athletes.
The ban also extends to advertisements in stadiums, sports venues, and LED signage during games or events. Moreover, gambling operators are forbidden from sponsoring or promoting their services at cultural events, including concerts and festivals.
Social media restrictions will bar influencers from endorsing online gambling or sports betting. This targets individuals with substantial online followings on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube, although the term “influencer” is not explicitly defined in Argentine law.
Furthermore, ‘Public Personalities – real and fictional’ are also prohibited from featuring in gambling-related advertisements to prevent misleading or aspirational messaging, especially to protect minors and vulnerable audiences.
Consequently, the federal bill will restrict advertising for online gambling and sports betting to authorized gambling halls, lottery agencies, and sales outlets. These advertisements must include a disclaimer: “Compulsive gambling is harmful to your health and that of your family,” aligning with public health efforts to curb gambling addiction.
As the Bill progresses to the Senate, stakeholders, including Argentine football teams, will have the chance to discuss its implications. These teams significantly depend on gambling sponsorships and may face financial challenges, thereby needing to explore alternative funding sources if this revenue stream diminishes.
No input was provided by sports or media stakeholders during the Chamber of Deputies’ discussions regarding the implementation of the Federal Ban or whether a grace period for existing contracts should be permitted. This matter will now be examined by the Senate.
Argentine provinces acknowledged that with the advertising ban covering cultural and educational contexts, awareness campaigns might be necessary to ensure compliance and public understanding of these restrictions.
The Senate is anticipating contributions from Civic Committees to establish a Federal Framework on gambling protections to override provincial and municipal gambling laws.
The Committees have been urged to finalize policies regarding gambling protections promptly, as stakeholders aim to implement a federal framework before Argentina’s mid-term legislative elections in 2025, which could alter the composition of the Chamber of Deputies.
The Senate acknowledges these restrictions underscore a growing concern regarding the effects of gambling marketing on public health, highlighted by cases involving minors and vulnerable groups. However, enforcing the advertising and sponsorship bans in Argentina might trigger debates about balancing potential economic impacts on the sports and media sectors, a challenge the government intends to tackle without resorting to compensation.