(short): Gambling History (Uruguay)

Gambling history in Uruguay

Early period: "birth" of the lottery (19th century)

The official history begins on July 9, 1819, when the first lottery was held in Montevideo in favor of Hospital de Caridad (initiative of the Portuguese governor Carlos F. Lecor). This day is traditionally considered the start of the Uruguayan lottery tradition.

The end of the XIX - the first half of the XX century: racetracks and resorts

Horse racing and sweepstakes. The central object was the Hipódromo Nacional de Maroñas in Montevideo (opened in 1874), where the country's main races (including Gran Premio José Pedro Ramírez) still take place.

The birth of the "showcase" Punta del Este. The interwar decades brought a "resort" model with the game: Hotel Casino Nogaró opened on January 8, 1938 (the first high-rise on the peninsula; later - one of the key halls of the DGC). In 1948, Hotel San Rafael was added to them with a casino - a symbol of the "golden age" of the resort.

Institutionalization: the role of the state and DGC

In the XX century, a state model was formed: Dirección General de Casinos (DGC) - a structure of the Ministry of Finance that manages and/or operates casinos, including in mixed formats with private partners (concessions). The mission of the DGC is officially enshrined on the government portal. Additionally, the Tourism Act (DL 14. 335, 1974/75) gave resort and casino development priority status.

Reforms and major projects of the late XX - early XXI century

Conrad → Enjoy Punta del Este (1997 → 2013 rebranding). The opening of the complex in January 1997 was a turning point: the international standard of a casino resort, a congress center, thousands of jobs; later, the facility came under the Enjoy brand.

Maroñas revival (2003). After closing in 1997, the Mapoñas racetrack was inaugurated in 2003 under the management of a private consortium; this restored horse racing as a mass leisure activity and source of employment.

Heritage of historic halls. Nogaro and its associated sites survived restorations and operator changes in the 2000s, maintaining the status of the cultural symbol of Punta del Este.

Lotteries, Quiniela and Sports Betting: Parallel Line

The state-owned Dirección Nacional de Loterías y Quinielas (DNLQ) runs circulation games and monopolizes Supermatch sports betting (the official slogan is "Uruguay's only bookmaker"), and also recalls the ban on advertising illegal online games.

2017: Digital "turning the screw" - banning unlicensed online casinos

The key date of our time is September 25, 2017. Article 244 of Law No. 19. 535 explicitly prohibits the provision of online games and bets without state permission, and Decree 366/017 prohibits their advertising/sponsorship. In practice, this means: online casinos and poker remain prohibited, and legal online betting - only through authorized channels (Supermatch).

2022-2025: attempts to "digitize" regulation and current measures

In 2022, the Senate approved a project to legalize online casinos under the auspices of the DGC (register of operators, deductions of 5-8% GGR to the responsible game fund), but full implementation requires further steps.

In 2025, the authorities confirmed a tough course against illegal online (MEF/DNLQ warnings, sanctions) and updated the fiscal rules for electronic bets in land casinos: a special tax of 0.75% on each bet (Decreto 167/025).

Cultural context: Punta del Este's "showcase"

Punta del Este has remained the "showcase" of gambling and event tourism in Uruguay for decades: from the historical halls of Nogaró and San Rafael to the large-scale Enjoy resort complex with hundreds of tables/slots, concert and congress venues.

Timeline of key dates

1819 - the first lottery in Montevideo.

1874 - Maroñas Racecourse opens.

1938 - Hotel Casino Nogaró (Punta del Este) opens.

1948 - Hotel San Rafael opens with a casino.

1974/75 — DL 14. 335 ("Tourism Act") is a framework for resort development and casino control through the DGC.

1997 - Launch of Conrad (now Enjoy Punta del Este).

2003 - Maroñas Racecourse re-opens.

2017 - prohibition of unlicensed online gambling (Law No. 19. 535, Art. 244) and the prohibition of advertising (Decree 366/017).

2025 - confirmation of prohibitions and a tax of 0.75% on electronic rates in the halls.

1. The state model (DGC/DNLQ), which since the beginning of the 20th century has been managing and directing the development of the industry (lotteries, sweepstakes, casinos).

2. The resort ecosystem of Punta del Este, connecting the game, tourism and big events - from Nogaro and San Rafael to Enjoy (Conrad).

In the 21st century, the focus has shifted to digital discipline: a strict ban on illegal online, targeted fiscal measures and discussions of "white" regulation. This is a continuation of Uruguay's long-standing tradition of controlling the game in the interests of the state and the consumer, relying on a stable resort and cultural base.

• Official: IMPO - Law No. 19. 535 (Art. 244); Decree 366/017; MEF/DGC - mission and news; DNLQ is an online gaming/advertising position.
• Lottery history: MEF/DNLQ materials and publications for the 200th anniversary.
• Punta del Este and casinos: Nogaro (1938), San Rafael (1948), Enjoy/Conrad (1997).
• Maroñas Racecourse: History and reopening 2003.
• Modern measures (2025): organ warnings and a 0.75% tax on electronic rates in halls.