Argentina has blocked 251 online gambling websites as regulators and prosecutors step up enforcement against unlicensed operators targeting local consumers.
The order was issued by the country’s National Communications Agency (Enacom) following an investigation led by the Specialized Cybercrime Investigation Unit (UFEIC) in San Isidro, headed by prosecutor Patricio Ferrari.
The case was initiated after a complaint from the Argentine Chamber of Casino Halls, Bingo Halls and Annexes (CASCBA).
Authorities said the websites were operating without authorization and outside Argentina’s regulated gambling framework.
According to investigators, several platforms presented themselves as legitimate operators but allegedly failed to provide basic consumer protections, including transparent gameplay systems and guaranteed prize withdrawals.
Officials said some users were unable to withdraw winnings, with funds allegedly diverted into unregulated payment networks beyond state oversight.
The probe also identified weak or non-existent identity verification systems, which prosecutors said enabled minors to access gambling platforms.
Investigators further alleged that some illegal networks recruited teenagers to act as “cashiers,” processing payments in exchange for commissions.
Argentina’s online gambling market remains fragmented, with regulation handled at the provincial level rather than through a national framework.
Licensed operators must secure approvals in individual jurisdictions such as Buenos Aires City, Buenos Aires Province and Córdoba, while offshore platforms have continued to target players through social media advertising and alternative payment channels.
Buenos Aires Lottery President Gonzalo Atanasof said: “Illegal gambling not only evades controls and resources for the State, but also puts players at risk, especially younger ones, since it offers no guarantees of transparency or prize collection.”
The enforcement action follows broader regulatory pressure in Argentina. In 2025, lawmakers in Buenos Aires Province advanced restrictions on gambling advertising aimed at minors, while several provinces increased oversight of digital operators amid concerns over underage participation.
Earlier this month, Argentina’s financial intelligence authorities also expanded scrutiny of payment channels linked to unauthorized betting activity as regulators attempt to limit access to offshore operators.
In related coverage in Argentina, GGI reported that Tucumán health officials expanded addiction treatment programs after identifying online gambling as a growing mental health issue among adolescents.
A 2025 Buenos Aires public health study found that more than 80% of online gambling accessed by minors in Argentina occurred on unlicensed platforms
