Online gambling: legalized in individual provinces

Online gambling: legalized in individual provinces (Argentina)

Resume Summary

Argentina is a federation with a provincial model: gambling is prohibited by default until it is authorized by a competent local authority. This rule is enshrined in local acts and, since December 2016, in Art. 301 bis of the Criminal Code. Therefore, the online market is not developed by a single federal law, but through the decisions of individual provinces and the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires (CABA).

Where online gaming is already legal (key examples)

CABA (Buenos Aires City) - LOTBA

The city regulator LOTBA S.E. approved the online framework in 2018 (a resolution that "creates" online games and sets the modes of authorization, technical requirements and RG). Since then, LOTBA has regularly updated "Normativa Juego en Línea."

Buenos Aires Province - IPLyC (BA)

Law 15. 079 and Decree 181/2019 launched online regulation, and Resolution 791/2019 approved technical regulations (traceability, safety, audit, reporting).

The official register reminds: legal sites in the province have the domain '.bet. ar 'and are only available for 18 +.

Mendoza Province - IPJyC

Mendoza passed Law 9267 (2020) and its regulation (2022), defining IPJyC as an enforcement authority. Technical requirements have also been published (for example, Deer. resolution 554/22).

Province of Córdoba - Lotería de Córdoba

Online gaming is regulated by Act 10. 793 (2021) with subsequent adjustments (including for advertising/access of minors in 2024-2025). Practice confirms launch in 2023.

Other jurisdictions (as of 2025)

A number of provinces have adopted their framework and/or regulatory steps (e.g., San Juan - Online Gaming Regulation Act in 2025; Entre Rios, Neuquén, Río Negro, Santa Fe, et al., run online gaming programs and channels through their lottery institutes). Specific conditions vary and are checked against local authority sites.

How to check the legality of the site

1. Jurisdiction: each legal project has permission from a specific regulator (LOTBA - for CABA; IPLyC BA - for prov. Buenos Aires, etc.). There is no "nationwide license."

2. Domains/registries: in prov. Buenos Aires - domain '.bet. ar 'and the list of permitted brands on the regulator's website. Other provinces maintain their own lists/sections.

3. Age and RG: 18 + and RG block mechanics are ubiquitous; LOTBA and some provinces have stepped up anti-advertising measures and protections for minors.

Why "mosaic": legal logic

Unallocated competence: gambling regulation is a provincial/SAVA matter. The Federation does not establish a single regime; the general principle is "prohibited unless permitted."

Market implications: different lists of allowed verticals (sports/casinos/virtual, etc.), their tenders/quotas, technical standards, taxes and advertising rules - by location.

What it means for stakeholders

To operators

Strategy = multi-jurisdictional plan: selection of provinces, local partners, technical certification for LOTBA/IPLyC/IPJyC, etc., separate budgets for compliance/marketing.

Local requirements: in BA - technical regulations 791/2019 and domain '.bet. ar`; in Mendoza - law 9267 + decree/technical; in Cordoba - 10. 793 and its updates (including advertising/biometrics).

To players

Play in "your" jurisdiction and with permitted operators; check domain/registry and age restrictions 18 +.

Frequent questions

Are online games legal across the country?

No, it isn't. They are legal where permitted by the local regulator (e.g. LOTBA, IPLyC BA, IPJyC, Lotería de Córdoba).

Is it possible to work with one license in several provinces?

There is no "federal" license: each jurisdiction issues its own permits and technical conditions.

Why does the province of Buenos Aires have a special domain '.bet. ar`?

This is a local marking of legal sites, indicated in the materials of the regulator and information materials IPLyC BA.

Online gambling in Argentina is really legal, but pointwise - in the provinces and CABA, where there are adopted laws/decrees and issued permits. The market is 24 "mini-markets": there are no uniform rules, therefore, both players and companies need to check with the regulation of a particular regulator (LOTBA, IPLyC BA, IPJyC, Lotería de Córdoba, etc.), domain tags and registries. This model gives flexibility to jurisdictions, but increases the cost of compliance and planning for brands.

Sources: ICLG/Lexology (rule "prohibited if not allowed" and Article 301 bis of the Criminal Code), LOTBA (CABA, online regulation), IPLyC BA (Decree 181/2019, Technical Regulations 791/2019, domain '.bet. ar '), IPJyC Mendoza (law 9267 + regulation/technical requirements), Lotería de Córdoba (law 10. 793 and updates 2024-2025), industry surveys by fragmented landscape.