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Feature: regulation at the provincial level, not the entire country
Shortly
Argentina is a federation where gambling regulation is a local (non-delegated) competence: each of the 24 jurisdictional entities (23 provinces and the autonomous city of Buenos Aires) sets its own rules, supervisory authorities and licensing procedures. The federal center retains criminal law (including AML/CFT) and part of tax competence. For operators, that means a "mosaic" of requirements, domain rules, advertising restrictions and technical standards that vary by province.
Constitutional outline and distribution of powers
Who regulates games? Regulatory competence in the field of gambling belongs to local jurisdictions: 23 provinces and CABA. The National Congress does not establish a single gambling law, but retains powers in the field of criminal law (including AML/CFT) and joint powers of taxation.
The general admission rule is "games are prohibited unless authorized by the competent authority." The norm is enshrined in local acts and reflected in the Criminal Code (since December 2016). This means that legality is always "from permission" and not "by default."
Coordination of regulators: the role of ALEA
In order to somehow unify practices, provincial regulators are united in ALEA - the association of state lotteries, casinos and "kiniel" of Argentina. ALEA brings together 24 regulators, trains, issues RG/process recommendations, and helps exchange standards. This is not a federal regulator, but a platform for coordination.
Two reference examples: CABA and Buenos Aires Province
CABA (Buenos Aires City) - LOTBA
In 2018, LOTBA adopted a RESDI-2018-321: the document created a framework for online games, recorded coordination with the province of Buenos Aires and consumer protection/AML requirements. This is one of the first modern online frameworks in the country.
LOTBA regularly updates technical standards and regulations ("Normativa Juego en Línea" page). For operators, this means their own reporting formats, RG obligations and approval procedures.
Buenos Aires Province - IPLyC
In 2019, the province legalized the online segment by Decree 181/2019 (and related technical regulations), establishing a list of permitted verticals and a limit on the number of licenses.
The province's practice introduced domain policies. bet. ar for legal sites and detailed technical requirements for platforms/content.
The bottom line for the two leaders: CABA and the province of Buenos Aires set the "tone" and became benchmarks for others, but their rules do not automatically apply in neighboring provinces. Each jurisdiction accepts its documents, procedures and forms of admission.
"Mosaic" of online regulation by country
Over the past decade, most provinces have incorporated online betting/gaming into their legal order (some broader, others more cautious). At the same time, differences remain in the perimeters of authorized products, tax structure, tender format and requirements for a local partner/content. Overall, industry reviews note that 22 out of 24 jurisdictions have some kind of online format resolution (sports/casino/lotto), but the rules are fragmented and complicate a unified approach to the market.
What it means for the operator: Key implications
1. No "national license"
Each province/SAA - its own competition/permit, its own technical standards, RG requirements and reporting; often - local domain and KYC rules.
2. Duplicate checks and certification
The same platform can go through different audit/certification cycles depending on the jurisdiction (e.g. LOTBA technical standards).
3. Advertising and enforcement - by location
The local regulator is responsible for advertising and combating illegal immigrants (LOTBA in CABA publicly campaigns against unauthorized sites/influencers). In a neighboring province, the approach may differ.
4. Taxes and payments - multilevel
Taxes - joint competence of the federal center and the provinces; Payment requests and deductions depend on local regulations (for example: different GGR rates in news and decrees of the province of Buenos Aires).
What it means for the player
Legality = local authorization. A site/product authorized by a specific province/city is considered legal. Domain characteristics (e.g. .bet. ar for B-A) and the register of the local regulator - the main check.
Different assortment and limits. Online casinos/virtual sports are available in one jurisdiction, betting or lotto only in another; deposit/commission limits and RG instruments may also differ.
Frequent questions
Why doesn't Argentina have a "uniform law" like Chile/Colombia?
Because the constitutional model enshrines provincial/SAVA games as an undelegated competence; the federal center deals with criminal law (including AML/CFT) and participates in taxes.
Is the LOTBA permit enough to operate nationwide?
No, it isn't. The LOTBA permit is valid only in CABA; the province of Buenos Aires requires IPLyC authorization and compliance with its technical regulations/domain rules.
Is there a trend towards unification?
Partially - through ALEA practices and CABA/B-A "benchmarks"; but legally, each province retains autonomy, and the "regulatory puzzle" remains.
A Practical Roadmap to Market Entry
1. Mapping jurisdictions: identify target provinces by demographics/returns, explore local frameworks (product list, license limits, deadlines and capexes).
2. Local partners/structures: in a number of competitions, a local presence/joint venture is required; assess data perimeter and domain requirements in advance (e.g. .bet. ar).
3. Technical compliance "under LOTBA/IPLyC": certification of RNG/platforms, RG tools, reporting/integration - according to LOTBA/IPLyC directories, etc.
4. Advertising policy by place: checking local bans/disclaimers; accounting for active law enforcement against illegal immigrants and unfair advertising in CABA.
Argentine "feature" - provincial regulation instead of a single national system. This provides flexibility and competition of approaches (CABA, province B-A - leaders of modernization), but creates fragmentation: differences in licensing, taxes, advertising, domains and technical standards. Any strategy in Argentina is a multi-jurisdictional project: the operator and the player need to focus on the rules of a particular province/city and check legality by place, and not "by country."
Sources: ICLG (authority structure and 23 provinces + CABA), Lexology (general rule "prohibited if not allowed" and role of the Criminal Code), ALEA (24 regulators), LOTBA (RESDI-2018-321 and current regulation), Buenos Aires Province (Decree 181/2019; domain. bet. ar), industry reviews on market fragmentation.