(short): Role of DNLQ (Uruguay)

Role of public body: Dirección Nacional de Loterías y Quinielas (Uruguay)

1) Who is DNLQ and where is it in the structure of the state

DNLQ is the national regulator/operator of the lottery vertical, part of the orbit of the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF). On the government portal, the DNLQ is listed among the key "Áreas" of the MEF alongside the Internal Revenue Service and Customs; this consolidates its status as a state unit responsible for games held on behalf of the state.

DNLQ official website (loteria. gub. uy) maintains results, circulation schedules and communications with citizens (address, opening hours, services for checking tickets).

2) Portfolio and operational role

Historically, DNLQ administers lottery products (Lottery, Quiniela, Tómbola, 5 de Oro, etc.), as well as IT and printed contours for their release and draws (planning, printing tickets, control of contractors and systems).

In terms of sports betting, DNLQ oversees Supermatch, Uruguay's "only online and offline bookmaker" operating under state mandate; this is explicitly stated in Supermatch's public materials and interfaces.

3) Regulatory powers and legal framework

• Ley N° 19. 535 (Art. 244): all online games and bets provided via the Internet/applications are recognized as illegal, with the exception of specially authorized by the state regimes (including sports forecasts organized under Art. 19 Ley 17. 453).
• Decreto N ° 366/017: regulates the blocking of sites and financial flows and prohibits any advertising/sponsorship of unlicensed online games and operators.

DNLQ regularly recalls these norms on its website ("Juego illegal") and through separate publications/communiqués.

4) Enforcement: blocking and banning advertising (activity in 2024-2025)

In 2024-2025, DNLQ strengthened campaigns against illegal online and directly warned the media and sports events: any advertising of illegal sites is prohibited (including broadcast, outdoor advertising, e-mail mailings, sports broadcasts). This was reported by specialized publications and national media in the wake of DNLQ appeals to sites and organizers.

In parallel, the department confirmed: the only legal online brand of sports betting in the country is Supermatch, all other offshore resources are subject to blocking according to 19. 535/366-017.

5) Transparency and services for citizens

DNLQ maintains and publishes the results of all official games, drawing calendar, reference materials; On the YouTube channel of the Lottery, records of draws are regularly published - this is an element of openness and public control.

6) DNLQ, "La Banca" and the ecosystem

The circulation games and sport-betting segment relies on "La Banca" (the bank box office/agency association), through which official products, including Supermatch, are distributed; this is publicly recorded on the resources of "La Banca." In this model, DNLQ is the government curator/permitting authority and oversight center.

7) Why DNLQ's role is market critical

1. A single point of responsibility for the lottery vertical and sport-betting: licensing/permits, channel control, IT supervision.

2. Consumer protection and order in the media: suppressing advertising of illegal immigrants reduces the risks for citizens and sports organizations.

3. Fiscal discipline and transparency of draws: regular publication of results and procedures.

8) Practical conclusions for operators/media/sports clubs

Operators and affiliates: any offers of online games without permission are illegal; resources and payment channels are subject to blocking. Work is allowed only within the framework of official products/channels.

Media platforms and events: the placement and sponsorship of illegal brands (including international sites) is prohibited - regardless of the advertising format. Violations in 2025 are publicly monitored and publicized.

Citizens/Players: Focus on DNLQ's official list of products and channels; Supermatch is the only legal sports betting brand.

DNLQ is the "support leg" of the Uruguayan state game system: it organizes and administers lottery products, oversees the only legal sports betting (Supermatch) and strictly protects the information field from illegal advertising and traffic. In conjunction with Ley 19. 535 and Decreto 366/017 this provides clear rules for players, media and business, minimizing risks from gray online and strengthening confidence in state games.

• MEF → section listing DNLQ among organs and Áreas.
• Official DNLQ resources: results, schedules, warnings for illegal online play.
• Supermatch: "Uruguay's only bookmaker."
• Regulatory framework: Ley 19. 535 (Art. 244) and Decreto 366/017 (prohibit advertising, block streams/access).
• Coverage of the 2025 campaigns: warnings to the media and venues to ban advertising of illegal immigrants.