Argentina’s Neuquén expands regulatory powers to oversee online gambling

Argentina’s Neuquén province has formally expanded the regulatory powers of its provincial gaming authority to oversee online gambling platforms, following the publication of Decree No. 37/26 in the Official Gazette.

The decree, signed by Governor Rolando Figueroa, amends Article 2 of the regulatory decree for Law No. 2751, which established the Instituto Provincial de Juegos de Azar del Neuquén (IJAN). The update grants the regulator explicit authority to regulate, supervise and control all gaming activities in the province. These include both land-based and online sports betting, iGaming and technology systems used by operators.

According to provincial officials, the regulatory update responds to significant changes in the technological, commercial and regulatory environments affecting the gaming sector. The measure aims to equip the institute with more effective legal tools to fully discharge its oversight responsibilities amid the growth of digital betting channels.

Decree 37/26 also empowers IJAN to issue technical, operational, fiscal and control standards to approve specific regulations and exercise police powers over gaming activities under its jurisdiction.

Authorities stated that the reform consolidates a more precise definition of the regulator’s attributions without limiting its capacity to intervene across different modalities.

Sources within IJAN explained that the regulator had already exercised control over online gaming in practice, particularly in relation to platforms operating through concessions granted in Neuquén. However, they noted that the decree formalizes those powers from a legal and regulatory standpoint, removing potential ambiguities regarding the scope of its authority.

Regarding existing concessions, provincial officials said the updated framework recognizes that gaming licenses may extend beyond their original land-based format, allowing authorized operators to develop offerings both in physical venues and through digital platforms.

At present, two online gaming platforms linked to a casino located in western Neuquén city operate within the provincial capital. Additional sites are also active in other parts of the province, even with lower public visibility. Authorities said the strengthened regulatory framework is intended to improve control, supervision and enforcement in a sector that continues to expand alongside digitalization trends in Argentina’s provincial gaming markets.